In a society that values youthful appearance and yet finds older people working longer, the desire to do whatever possible to stave off aging is strong.

Diane Colvin watched the clock ticking toward her 60th birthday and knew she wanted “a little revival” — and she didn’t mean the spiritual kind.

“My face was aging. I wasn’t sagging, but I wanted to continue to look like I was under the wire of 60, not over,” said Colvin, now 64, who had a lower face-lift done at age 58 along with eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, to get rid of excess skin, and a chemical peel under the eyes. She’s also had liposuction under her chin, soft tissue filler and Botox treatments.

“I just get a notion and I’ll call up and say, ‘Do you have room to get me in?’” Colvin said with a chuckle, admitting she wouldn’t want to count up the thousands of dollars she’s spent on plastic surgery to her face (not to mention the tummy tuck and liposuction).

“I just feel better because I look better and I feel younger,” said the retired school teacher from Abbottstown. “I guess I feel like I’m at the point where I can treat myself, and so I do. Just like I exercise and eat healthy, I want to do what I can to look as good as I can for my age.

Drooping eyelids

An eyelid that sags with age can create a hood over the eye that can impair vision. In this case, blepharoplasty, which runs about $5,000, might be covered by insurance. This is the second-most popular cosmetic surgery nationwide.

The plastic surgeon makes a cut along the natural fold of the upper eyelid, removes the excess skin, muscle and fat and closes the incision with tiny stitches or skin adhesives. If the lower lid is being done, the incision might be made below the lashes or inside the lower lid.

“Humans interact at the eye level, so having improvements made here can really make a difference that makes patients very happy to have done it.”

A bump on the nose or a big nose

Correction of the “dorsal hump” on the bridge of the nose is the most common reason for rhinoplasty, the No. 1 cosmetic surgery nationally. This surgery, which costs around $8,000, can also add or subtract size and reshape the tip of the nose.

Typically the plastic surgeon makes cuts inside the nostrils to readjust the bone and cartilage under the skin.

Drooping cheeks, neck or jaw

A face-lift, often combined with a neck-lift to help restore the sharp angle of the jaw, involves removing excess skin and fat and tightening the underlying muscle and connective tissue.

“It’s extremely important to tighten not only the skin, but the muscles.”  “If you tighten the skin too much, you will look like Liberace — smiling all the time — and people will know you had a face-lift from a mile away.”

A lower face-lift tightens the cheeks, jaw and neck. A full face-lift involves the forehead and upper part of the face. But, although you’ll see improvements, your face will continue to age. Another face-lift might be needed in eight to 10 years.

“By blending different laser energies, you heat the skin, which causes skin shrinkage and also melts the fat.”  “It’s done under local anesthetic, which means the patient is back to work in a couple of days.”

Age spots

There are at least 10 chemical peeling solutions that involve applying acid and peeling it off to rejuvenate the skin. New skin forms, which is often smoother. Sometimes the procedure — especially deeper peels that involve more layers of skin — might cause a painful, burning feeling.

Laser treatments — where a laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying layer (dermis) to stimulate new growth of collagen — are another option.

Facial scars, acne or rosacea

For facial scars left by anything from acne to an accident, deep dermabrasion or “sanding” with a special rotary machine is effective.

“Just as you can sand a rough piece of wood and make it smooth, we can sand the skin to lower the layer of the skin so the scar does not look deep anymore.”  “We have great success with this.”

Laser treatment is another option.

Wrinkles

Botox or Dysport injections do not remove wrinkles, but they are effective in relaxing the muscles that contract and cause vertical lines between the eyebrows, across the forehead and at the corners of the eye (crow’s feet).

A facial filler — an injectible gel that plumps and smoothes out skin — is a very popular choice for smile lines, cheeks and lips. Formerly made of collagen, to which some patients were allergic, fillers are now made from hyaluronic acid. Treatments are usually needed every four to six months.

Laser treatments or deep peeling are the best way to remove deep wrinkles. Dermabrasion might also be effective for lines around the mouth.

Dark patches, “mother’s mask”

A skin lightener — a cream applied twice a day — is helpful for people who have been exposed to the sun and have dark patches on their face, or for “mother’s mask,” darkened areas around the eyes that can occur during pregnancy.
It contains a potent chemical called hydroquione with other ingredients that bleach the skin. To be effective, skin lighteners must be potent and of prescription-strength.

Resurfacing techniques can also be effective.

Skin cancers

Plastic surgeons might remove skin cancers on the face and reconstruct areas affected by the removal. Often this involves using skin flaps, which means recruiting skin in the area of the defect to close the hole. It’s also possible to use a skin graft made from skin from behind the ear or neck.

A powerful diagnostic tool called dermoscopy uses a 10-power lens placed over a pigmented lesion that allows the dermatologist or plastic surgeon to look at the characteristics of the lesion to see if it has the propensity to elevate into melanoma.

Augmentation of the temples with fat, poly-l-lactic acid, and/or syringebased fillers

The role of volume augmentation for facial rejuvenation will continue to progress as our knowledge and insight into facial anatomy, aging, beauty, and aesthetic harmony continue to mature. Soft-tissue augmentation has been used with positive results for some time, but the focus within the facial aesthetic community, as a whole, of where to place volume has certainly changed and expanded. With experience, practitioners recognize that filling just a wrinkle or nasolabial fold, for example, can help or, better yet, appease a patient’s concern, but true facial rejuvenation, with harmony, requires a more thoughtful scope of evaluation and an expanded treatment philosophy.

TREATING THE HOLLOW TEMPLES

The hollow temple is an area often overlooked by patients and practitioners alike. Once pointed out, the expression is one of surprise for not recognizing this obvious “problem” before. Or if previously known, hairstyles have commonly been changed or altered to conceal the area. The lack of fullness within the temple area can be due to a relatively deep temporal fossa, a hypoplastic temporalis muscle, or an atrophied adipose tissue layer.

Most temples do have a slight concavity, but too much concavity (or convexity) disrupts the frame or silhouette of the face. The hollowness also exposes the superior-lateral orbital ridge and zygomatic arch, which are features deemed less attractive and associated with aging and/or poor health. Consequently, the aim in treating the hollow temple is to provide a better overall shape to the face and a smooth transition from the peri-orbital area to the temporal hairline.

Figure 1 is a 5-year follow-up photograph of a patient with fat augmentation to the peri-orbital area (tear trough and infra-brow) and cheeks. The improvement and longevity from her fat-augmentation procedure is evident, but if you now evaluate and consider the temple area, the results become less impressive. No fat was placed in her temples, and the resulting hollowness, over time, accentuated her superior-lateral orbital rims and provided a less than ideal appearance and facial shape.

Another example of the importance of temple augmentation is illustrated in Figure 2. This 63-year-old female underwent a high-superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) facelift, fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing, and fat augmentation. From her preoperative photograph to postoperative year 1, her temples are satisfactorily filled from her fat-augmentation procedure despite being on a significant weight loss program. A 25-plus-pound weight loss during year 2 recreates the hollowness once corrected by fat augmentation. Notice the improvement in her facial shape and overall peri-orbital aesthetics when her temples are revolumized or “rescued” with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers (Figure 2C-2D).

For the hollow temples, the most common treatment methods are fat augmentation, poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA), and syringe-based fillers such as HA fillers. The benefits, longevity, and techniques of fat augmentation to the temples and other facial areas are well established.1 Fat augmentation is often combined with other facial aesthetic surgery procedures, including brow lifting, but the procedure may have limitations for some patients. Commonly, patients with very deep hollowed

temples, who are seeking aesthetic improvements, are patients with very limited fat stores (Figure 3A).
In these circumstances, the fat stores may be either too limited for any fat-augmentation procedure or only enough fat exists for transfer to more aesthetically “vital” areas, such as the peri-orbital or cheek areas. Additionally, fluctuating weight, which significantly impacts transplanted adipose cells, as illustrated above in Figure 2C, and downtime can be significant deterrents for some patients.
For these reasons, PLLA and HA fillers are excellent alternatives. PLLA’s safety profile and its effects on temple (and overall facial) augmentation are well established.2 The volumizing from PLLA comes from the induction of fibroplasia (collagen growth), which in reality takes multiple treatments and months for the results to present themselves fully. This can be seen as an advantage because many patients like the idea of temple filling with their own “collagen,” and the slow progression to end result provides privacy. Friends, family, and co-workers will not see a dramatic overnight change in their appearance. The results begin to diminish by 2 years, but much longer outcomes are not uncommon (Figure 3).

FAT AUGMENTATION VERSUS PLLA FOR TEMPLE AUGMENTATION

The technical aspects between fat augmentation and PLLA are significant. For instance, fat is typically placed throughout the subcutaneous and temporoparietal

fascia layers where the facial nerve resides, and down to but superficial to the deep temporal fascia layer. In contrast, the needle or cannula delivering PLLA is placed through the deep temporal fascia and then deep to the temporalis muscle onto the temporal fossa bone(s), where a small depot of PLLA is deposited. It is noteworthy to mention that the temporal fossa is, indeed, covered with a thin, adherent periosteum (pericranium). The point is significant for two reasons.

Many physicians recall that the periosteal layer of the scalp transitions to become the deep temporal fascia layer, which covers the temporalis muscle, without recognizing that a portion does extend on the undersurface of the temporalis muscle to cover the temporal fossa.3,4 Without periosteum, there would be a limited supply of fibroblasts to manufacture collagen. The fibroplasia in this plane acts like a shim elevating the temporal contents.

However, despite the deep placement, some amount of fibroplasia can be seen (during brow lifts) and felt (with needle resistance in subsequent PLLA treatments) in the more superficial layers. The basis is presumably from the permeability of the deep temporal fascia as well as PLLA seeping through the penetration sites made in the deep temporal fascia upon injection, and facilitated further by the massage regimen encouraged after the procedure. The reasons for the deep placement were from complications with nodules and papules reported in the temporal area when more concentrated and superficial placements of PLLA were reported.5,6

TREATING HOLLOW TEMPLES WITH HA-BASED FILLERS

The “latest” treatment for temple filling is with HAs such as Restylane or Juvéderm. In contrast to placement in lips or nasolabial folds, these fillers are hydrated with saline and/or lidocaine.7 The reasons for this are at least twofold. Hydration allows more volume of product (albeit at lower density and tonicity), and promotes smoother placement of product. The hydration also decreases the risk of the Tyndall effect (bluish discoloration). The placement is in the more “elastic” subcutaneous layer and approximates the temporoparietal fascia layers. Thus, the volume expansion is often more substantial than what is seen with PLLA. One reason for this is anatomical. The deep temporal fascia is a relatively thick, durable fascia layer attached firmly at its edges on bone (temporal line of fusion, processes of the lateral orbital rim, zygomatic arch). Like a moderately tight drum, volume augmentation underneath the fascia has a limited capacity to distend or elevate, especially more superior in the temple where the deep temporal fascia is a single layer.8 Consequently, hyaluronic fillers are an ideal treatment for hollow temples because of their more superficial placement and can be offered to patients as a stand-alone procedure or as a supplement to fat augmentation or PLLA treatments (Figure 2). The technique of hollow temple filling with HA is straightforward. Typically, patients will require a minimum of 2 cubic centimeters (cc) of HA filler per side. Hydration volumes vary, but adding 3 cc of bacteriostatic saline (0.9%) and 1 cc of 1% or 2% lidocaine (with or without epinephrine) is sufficient. This provides 6 cc of volume and will fit in most 5-cc syringes. I use a disposable 25-gauge 1.5-inch cannula (DermaSculpt, CosmoFrance Inc, Miami, or a 0.7 Tulip infiltrating cannula (Tulip Medical Products Inc, San Diego) for placement. Initial entrance sites (usually two to three) are made using a small needle (20 to 23 gauges). The product is then delivered in a threading fashion using a slow, controlled fanning motion.

Cross hatching over areas ensures a smooth and consistent result (Figure 4). Much of the edema will dissipate in minutes to hours as the saline and local anesthesia is absorbed. Follow-up in 3 to 4 weeks is standard, allowing more filler placement if required (Figure 5).

The risks associated with any temple-augmentation procedure should not be minimized. Injury to the facial nerve is possible and is one of the reasons that cannulas are used in fat grafting and during HA filler placement. Other risks include hematoma, vessel occlusion or emboli, numbness, infection, and the occasional superficial vessel in the temple becoming more prominent after filler placement. The vessel usually returns back to its normal size in hours but can persist for 2 to 3 weeks.

The hollow temple is an additional area that should be examined for patients seeking facial rejuvenation. The hollow temple often goes unrecognized and untreated, but several safe and effective treatment options are available.

Daddy Do Over: A Makeover for Men

Moms, on the other hand, get a “mommy makeover” as early as a few months after childbirth. This is a process of combining three plastic surgery procedures, namely, tummy tuck, breast lift and breast augmentation. All of these synergistically help return a woman’s old form prior the pregnancy. These three components of a mommy makeover are among the most popular procedures performed in the US in 2011, according to the American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Now though, daddies could look as “hot” as their wives through a new process called a “daddy do-over”.

Daddy do-over processes involve two steps: a tummy tuck and breast reduction. A lot of people might say that they understand why men should have tummy tucks—since this is a quick step to achieving 6-pack abs in the shortest amount of time and effort. But why breast reduction surgery? Well, this is to reduce or eliminate the effects of a condition called gynecomastia. This happens when fat, mostly coming from the diet, cannot be properly broken down anymore by the liver because of the vast intake of it. Gynecomastia also happens when men develop liver malfunctions such as liver cirrhosis or hepatomegaly, which outright impairs the liver’s ability to break down and store adipose tissue properly. These conditions occur in men who drink alcohol too much and/or too often. Gynecomastia, in laymen’s terms, is fat accumulating in men’s breasts, making them resemble women’s breasts. Studies have shown that approximately 60% of men all over the world suffer from at least a minor degree of gynecomastia. In the United States alone, there were 18,000 procedures performed on male patients to eliminate gynecomastia, making it one of the five most common plastic surgical procedures preferred by men.

Abdominoplasty, or more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that helps tighten and tone the abdominal muscles. It removes the underlying adipose tissue and the excess flaps of skin that comes as a result of the removal of fat. This automatically gives people a more refined look, making them more confident in front of their peers. In the US, 95% of all tummy tucks are being performed on women, but the remaining 5% performed on men might soon increase, since more and more men are recognizing abdominoplasty as a suitable alternative to working out the fat from all their binge drinking and eating sprees.

Tummy tucks combined with breast reduction techniques are now becoming popular as “daddy do-overs.” Weight and aesthetic looks aren’t any more reserved for women alone—men nowadays are becoming a lot more concerned at how their body looks, primarily because it greatly influences how men get treated at work, at job interviews, and at gatherings with their peers. Confidence and ego is something that is really important for men, and respect earned from peers is more easily obtainable when men have bodies that they can be proud of, along with a loving and tight-knit family they helped build up from all their hard work. An amazing body is the least of the rewards they could ever claim.

Years ago, the term “mommy makeover” did not exist. Now it is a common cosmetic and plastic surgery term that refers to procedures performed to improve the shape and tone of the female body and breasts. Most women lose shape and tone after having children. Their breast may sag from breast-feeding, they may have excess fat or flab in the abdominal area from pregnancy, and they may experience difficulty getting rid of excess “baby fat” after the birth of children.

Mommy makeovers can involve popular procedures such as: liposuction, body contouring, tummy tuck, breast lift, breast implants and augmentation, fat transfers or a combination of multiple surgeries.

Surgeons tend to see a spike in mommy makeover procedures and many plastic surgeons experiences a sharp rise in consultations for these procedures before Mother’s Day.

According to statistics more than 320,000 mommy makeovers were performed on women of childbearing age (20-39) in 2010. In their annual research study, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) revealed that in 2011 breast augmentation has increased by 4% to 307,000 procedures performed, liposuction increased by 1% to more than 205,000, and tummy tucks ranked in the top 6 surgical procedures performed with 115,000.

It’s so unfair. You’re well past the tumultuous years of high school (ugh, thank god), but you’re still dealing with skin problems. Which begs the question: Didn’t your skin get the memo that it’s time to move on? The quarterback married somebody else and you no longer have the time or patience to worry about acne.

While a bad breakout no longer “ruins your life,” like it did in the past, it’s still embarrassing and frustrating. So why are you still suffering from breakouts? First off, acne-prone people are born with about four to five times more skin cells than the average person, and produce more oil than the average person as well. And it’s the winning combination of these factors that are at the initial root of the problem. But there are other, sneakier, under-the-radar ways that you could be irritating your skin as well — ways you aren’t even aware of. So if you’re at a loss as to why you’re getting zits, the culprit is likely your daily routine.

HABIT NO. 1: USING MAKEUP WITH INGREDIENTS THAT CAN CAUSE IRRITATION

There are certain ingredients lurking in the makeup and sunscreen you’re slathering on that are causing you to break out. Now this doesn’t mean you have to forgo your foundation (scary, we know) or stop applying SPF (please, don’t), but you do need to keep a watchful eye on product labels. King and Nakhla say to avoid these known acne offenders:

• Artificial Color – Look for FD&C in the ingredients list, which means the product has artificial color. This can irritate the skin and if it’s in your lipstick or blush, it can cause breakouts around your mouth or on your cheeks.
• Lanolin – This is basically the fancy term for sheep sebum (sebum = oil) and while it can be good for dry skin, it’s not right for acne-prone skin.
• Mineral Oil – This forms a film on your skin, trapping dead skin cells and bacteria (prime causes of acne) and it can also give you milia, those tiny white bumps on your skin.
• Petroleum – This is oil, and as you may have guessed, you don’t really need to be putting more oil on your face.
• Isopropyl Myristate – This can actually make your skin feel less greasy, but it also clogs pores and causes skin irritation.
• Artificial Fragrance – This can irritate your skin and cause breakouts. Try to use as many fragrance free products as possible.

HABIT NO. 2: OVER-DRYING YOUR FACE

Sucking all the oil and moisture out of your face is a sure-fire way to irritate your skin, says Nakhla. While it might seem like a good idea to dry out oily skin with harsh cleansers, soap, and alcohol-based toners — and skimp on the moisturizer — your skin is more complicated than that.

Drying out your skin will actually cause it to produce moreoil, says King. She explains that the skin naturally tries to correct itself, therefore if it feels dry it will try to balance the situation by producing more oil, continuing the vicious cycle.

Nakhla’s recommendation: Be gentle with your skin and keep it hydrated (but that doesn’t mean greasy). Try using a cleanser made specifically for acne-prone skin like Peter Thomas Roth Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash, $36, but follow it up with a hydrating toner and/or a light, oil-free moisturizer so your skin doesn’t freak and up the oil ante. You can also use a mattifying moisturizer on especially shiny areas during the day to soak up oil without over-drying your skin.

HABIT NO. 3: PRESSURE (LITERALLY)

So what is pressure-induced acne exactly? Shamban says it’s exactly what it sounds like — acne caused by physical pressure on your face, be it from the cell phone you are constantly on, an instrument (like the violin), or simply a hand resting on your face as you glare into the TV or computer screen. This pressure not only exposes your skin to loads of bacteria, but the actual force of this bacteria against your face can cause you to break out.

The solution: Well, the obvious one is to stop pressing bacteria-ridden objects against your skin (Nakhla suggests always going hands free with your cell). But if you really can’t avoid it, at least be diligent about cleaning surfaces well and often to minimize bacteria.

 

HABIT NO. 4: PRESSURE (FIGURATIVELY)

So, you’re already aware that stress gets your heart racing, your stomach churning, and causes wrinkles — but did you know that it also increases the hormones that can cause acne? So sad, so true. So what are we saying — magically chill out just because we told you to (yeah, wouldn’t that just be dandy)? No, but you can do things to relax and minimize the drama.

 

 

 

 

 

REASON NO. 5: YOUR LAUNDRY SCHEDULE

As if your dirty laundry isn’t annoying enough to deal with, it could also be causing your acne. Think about it: Your face lies on your pillowcase for hours at a time, and if it’s not clean, you’re basically rolling around in a bunch of dead skin cells and bacteria. As for that towel of yours? If it’s not fresh from the dryer, you could be wiping germs all over your newly-cleansed skin.

King suggests changing your pillowcase once or twice a week and using a fresh towel daily. Also, if you use fabric softeners made with tallow (aka animal fat — ew), they aren’t going to do your acne any favors. And definitely keep in mind that a lot of detergents and fabric softeners contain fragrance that can cause irritation as well.

HABIT NO. 6: THE HAIR PRODUCTS YOU USE

Many people don’t think about how their hair products can cause acne, says Nakhla, but think about how often your hair touches your face. And remember that unless you are washing your hair every night before bed, all that product is transferring onto your pillow.

King says hair products with oil, silicones, and plasticizers will clog your pores if they get onto your skin, so if you want to wear your hair down (or have fringe touching your forehead), try to steer clear of products with those ingredients.

HABIT NO. 7: USING DIRTY MAKEUP APPLICATORS

Alright, so now that you are diligently checking the labels on all your makeup products for known acne instigators, you need to think about the actual brushes, sponges, and other applicators you use to apply your non-comedogenic makeup.

King points out that your makeup tools are crawling with bacteria and dead skin cells, making them absolute zit factories. Remember to only use a makeup sponge once and clean your brushes once a week with a brush cleanser or shampoo. This will keep them germ free — and your skin clear.

HABIT NO. 8: YOUR DIET

OK, so you’ve heard rumors that foods like chocolate and French fries are practically guaranteed to give you zits, but the good news (kinda) is that’s not totally true, says Nakhla.

It’s really an overall unhealthy diet that effects your skin. Shamban says that having a high glycemic index, which is caused by frequently eating foods known to spike your blood sugar levels (like refined sugar, white bread, pastas, and fried foods), will mess with your body and can cause acne. So if you are eating these foods only on occasion, it’s not likely the cause for your breakouts.

Also, some people, though they might not know it, have actual allergies to foods like chocolate, wheat, or dairy that cause them to break out. So if you notice your skin goes nuts after a bagel binge or cookie dough ice cream social, take a break from these foods and see what happens.

HABIT NO. 9: WEARING THE WRONG CLOTHES

The fibers in your closet could be the culprit for body acne, says King. Fabrics like polyester and lycra can trap dead skin cells and sweat against your body. We lose one million skin cells every 40 minutes, says King, and when we wear super-tight clothes, those cells don’t really have anywhere to go.

The solution: Choose clothes with natural fibers (think cotton and bamboo) that breathe so your skin doesn’t suffocate.

HABIT NO. 10: SMOKING

While some doctors disagree on whether smoking causes acne or not, there is evidence to suggest it does. Researchers at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome identified non-inflammatory acne (NIA) to be common among frequent smokers. They also found that smokers who had experienced acne in their teen years were four times more likely to have acne as an adult than non-smokers who also had acne in their teens. So if you’re breaking out and still lighting up, reconsider your deadly habit. If not for your life, for your vanity.

HABIT NO. 11: SPRAYING PERFUME

We talked about how fragrance in your makeup and detergent can cause acne, and your perfume can cause skin irritation too. Make sure to avoid your face when spritzing fragrance. An easy way to do this is to spray perfume on your wrists (instead of directly on your neck), then rub them against your décolletage and neck to spread the fragrance. Also steer clear of bath and shower products with added fragrance.

 

HABIT NO. 12: BEING LAZY WITH YOUR ROUTINE

Listen, we’re not going to pretend like it’s not super tempting after a long day (especially if you’ve hit a happy hour) to just slide into bed without washing and treating your face. But when you fall off the wagon and skip a cleansing and moisturizing, it can undo all the progress you’ve made with your skin. King stresses how important it is to establish a daily routine and to stick with it — no matter what’s going on. She also says to not get frustrated with a current acne treatment routine, as it takes about a month to see improvement in your skin.

Every night you should be using a rinse-off cleanser, a hydrating toner or light moisturizer, and an acne treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Use an extra spot treatment on current breakouts.

If you really can’t make it to the sink for your routine, keep a pack of skin clearing facial wipes like Dermalogica mediBac Clearing Skin Purifying Wipes, $20, near your bed. So no more excuses.

HABIT NO. 13: TANNING

We’ve all heard that the sun dries out your skin and UV rays have an antibacterial element. But baking in the sun is not a sufficient way to clear up acne. And remember, over-drying your skin will cause it to produce more oil, not less.

Also, tanning causes your skin to increase cell production (which means more dead skin cells — the thing we are trying to avoid). So while you might get a bit clearer at first, tanning will end up giving you more breakouts — not to mention an increased risk of cancer and extra batch of wrinkles when you’re older.

 

Just think about it — if a pill like this were available, we could enjoy all of the fabulous food our country has to offer minus the extra weight and the hefty serving of guilt that comes with over indulging.

Unfortunately, this pill hasn’t been invented — yet. Which means we actually have to do something — eat less or workout more — in order to keep off the pounds.

And while you know you can clock more hours at the gym or cut your serving sizes in half to shed those hardest-to-lose last 10 pounds, there are a few minor tweaks you can make to your current weight loss diet and exercise routine to help you burn a few extra calories.

SIP SMARTER

Limit your liquids to herbal tea and water only. Drinking even light juices or diet coke will prevent you from shedding those last few pounds. If you need a fruity fix, eat and peel your fruit, don’t drink it. You’ll get more fiber and less sugar that way.

USE CHOPSTICKS

Eat with chopsticks — even when you’re eating grilled fish and vegetables instead of chicken chow fun. “People who use chopsticks tend to eat way less and get fuller faster because chopsticks slow you down.” This is one of the biggest rules of thumb when it comes to eating right. If you eat too fast, your body can’t register that it’s full, so you’ll keep eating unnecessary calories.

WORK OUT AT WORK

No time to exercise before or after work? Burn a few calories while you’re on the job. For example, the virtual jump rope for this purpose (try Airope Original, 34.95). It’s easy to tote (you won’t whip any colleagues), and two simple minutes of jumping will get you off your bum and blasting calories. Don’t have an office with a door? Head outside for your virtual jump rope sesh.

LOAD UP ON HEALTHY FATS

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: “Fat is your friend.” “It satiates you, which in turn quells sugar and white flour cravings.” Find good-for-you fats in avocado, olive oil, and fish.

JUMP AROUND

High-impact exercises like running, jumping rope, and rebounding (jumping on a mini trampoline) kick your lymphatic system into gear. “These kinds of activities are a great way to boost your metabolism and get rid of toxins and waste,” which will go a long way toward helping you lose those last few pounds. Add just 5 to 10 minutes of these high-impact exercises to your regular workout for a calorie-burning boost.

So the jig’s up and most of us have finally realized, and begrudgingly accepted, that we will not be frolicking on the beach in a thong bikini this summer.
Sad? Eh, maybe if you (and your metabolism) are stuck in the ’80s. Otherwise, you should know that you don’t need a starvation plan — or a sarong wrapped over your butt — to feel confident in your body and sexy in a swimsuit this season.
That’s right, you heard us. It’s time to retire the Montego Bay seahorse sarong. Sorry, but come on — it’s really only hiding your self-esteem. You won’t need that cover-up anyway, because with insider secrets from David Kirsch (celebrity trainer to the fittest and most fabulous stars) on how to quickly de-bloat and shed a few pounds, coupled with the best summer skin tips for glowing, bronzed skin, you’re going to want to flaunt every inch of your body.
So check out the 11 expert tricks to getting your body and skin ready for a fun-filled summer without any body loathing and who knows, you might end up so confident that you’ll start looking for nude beaches … maybe …

CARDIO, CARDIO, CARDIO

When it comes to slimming down fast, heart-pumping, fast-paced exercises are your best bet.”Choose a form of cardio that helps you get your heart rate up — really up.” We recommend bumping up a cardio routine of “running, rowing, swimming, cycling or elliptical training, 45 to 60 minutes, 4 to 5 times per week to expedite weight loss.”

If you can’t find a full hour a day to work out, don’t give up all hope in general. A 10 minute “express workout” that gets your heart pumping a couple of times a day will give you great results, so no more excuses. Try jumping jacks or climbing stairs, or heck, take a sprint around your work building every couple of hours. We also suggests swapping your office chair for a medicine ball, so you sneakily work your core without even thinking about it.

BUST YOUR BOOTY

Want to get that rear in shape? Who doesn’t. Here are Kirsch’s secret “butt blasting” workouts (which he teaches to stars like JLo and Heidi Klum) to be done at least once a week (more if you have the time and the energy). Aim for 15 to 20 repetitions of each:

• Squat thrusts with a medicine ball
• Sumo lunge with side kick and frog jump
• Jumping lunges
• Platypus walk with medicine ball

AVOID THESE FOODS AND DRINKS

Certain foods are guaranteed to bloat your body and to avoid these for a couple weeks leading up to your bathing suit debut. Steer clear of “dairy, regular and diet soft drinks, sports drinks, and excessive fruit and instead stick to greens like spinach, broccoli, kale, and asparagus (a natural diuretic), as well as snacks like raw almonds, red peppers, and celery.” Oh, and hydrate with water and teas only.

REMEMBER, ALL CALORIES AREN’T CREATED EQUAL

One of the biggest mistakes women trying to slim down make is treating every calorie the same. Many women think the calories from say, a granola bar, are going to be processed by the body the same way the calories from a chicken breast are. This is not true. When you are trying to loose weight “skip processed carbs and excessive fruit or fat. Stick to nutrient-rich, quality calories such as chicken, quinoa and vegetables,” he says.

SCHEDULE A FACIAL

According to celebrity esthetician and skin care expert Renée Rouleau, women need to get facials at least four times a year — that’s once at the start of each new season in order to remove dry skin, correct discoloration and brown spots, and most importantly, stimulate cell renewal for a fresh face, says Rouleau. So if you haven’t had a facial since winter, it’s time.

If you can’t get to a spa to get one done, make sure you are giving yourself mini at-home facials on a regular basis:
Step 1: Start by washing skin with a mild cleanser.
Step 2: Use a facial exfoliant to remove dead and dry skin cells. Try Eraclea Daily Bamboo Exfoliant, $40.
Step 3: Immediately follow with a few drops of a skin-repairing serum, then apply a thin coat of a clarifying mask to your entire face and neck. The mask will help the serum penetrate deeper into your skin. Try Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, $21.
Step 4: Leave on 10 to 15 minutes, and use a warm wash cloth to gently clean off your face. Finish by applying your favorite moisturizer.

WARD OFF BREAKOUTS

If you have oily skin, summer can be the worst time to try to keep breakouts at bay, as sweating aggravates acne and leads to pimples on the body and face, says dermatologist Heidi Waldorf. She recommends treating mild to moderate facial acne with retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, which you can get from your doctor or in some drugstore brands. Other ingredients to look for: zinc sulfate, tea tree, caffeine, and niacinamide, which will all work to slow oil production. See the highest-rated acne fighters here.

When it comes to clearing body acne, also look for a wash containing benzoyl peroxide like Clark’s Botanicals Skin Clearing Face & Body Wash, $46.

FIX DRY SPOTS

With your body on full display, you’re going to want to have smooth, hydrated skin, which means taking care of any dry, cracked or rough patches with a little TLC. This means paying extra attention to your knees, elbows, heels and hands.

Start this process in the shower by applying a super moisturizing body wash like Dove VisibleCare Creme Body Wash with NutriumMoisture, $7.99. Lather it over your body with a loofah to gently exfoliate and hydrate skin at the same time. Once you’re out of the shower, rub a lotion all over and add a couple of drops of body oil like L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil, $34, which works to repair the hydrolipidic barrier of the skin and really sink into those rough patches (knees, elbows, etc.) So you get glowing — fast.

GET WAXED

Body hair is the last thing you want to worry about this summer and “waxing is a great alternative to shaving if you have hair you’re uncomfortable with,” says Susmta Patel, a waxer who has worked at the acclaimed Completely Bare Salon in Manhattan. “Waxing is better [than shaving] because it removes hair from the root,” says Patel. She adds that when you shave “you just cut the hair, so two hours later, you can see the hair there or a blue shadow, which is the hair follicle below the skin.” Waxing, on the other hand, not only lasts up to a month, but it’s also more permanent — over time, it thins the hair so less grows back, says Patel. Bonus: It exfoliates the skin as well, leaving you feeling silky smooth (and leaving you with one less skin care to-do).

If you opt for waxing, Patel warns not to use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and not to expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. Also, to treat any resulting redness or swelling, apply a small amount of cortisone cream from the drugstore, says Patel. If you choose to stick to the good ol’ razor, make sure to shave after you take a shower or bath, so your hair is softer and easier to remove. And always lather up with a moisturizing shave cream (try Aubrey Organics Creme de la Shave, $4.33) and use a brand new razor to minimize irritation.

GET GLOWING

Of course, you know you’ll look healthier and thinner with a tan. But you also know that the only safe way to achieve aforementioned tan is with self-tanner. The good news is a realistic faux-glow is super easy to achieve, especially if you follow these tips from Natalie Cupid, head technician at Sundara Airbrush Tanning in New York City.

She says to start by exfoliating to get rid of that top layer of dead skin cells and shave or wax the usual areas. Skip the moisturizer on the day you plan to apply self-tanner, as it can act as barrier between the tanning ingredients and your skin. For the most natural looking tan, you are going to want to choose a product that’s only one or two shades darker than your natural skin hue. She recommends a buildable tan like Jergen’s Natural Glow Express, $8.99, for faux-tanning newbies.

 

 

SPRAY AND GLOW

For those of you not new to the faux-glow rodeo, try an at-home spray tan like the TEMPTU AIR Pod Summer Skin Kit, $75, which you literally airbrush on. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even try defining muscles with it – here’s how.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BE SUNSCREEN SAVVY

All seasons require regular sunscreen application, but summer is that special time when more of the body is exposed to the sun for longer periods of time, which means you need more sunscreen, applied more often and to more body parts.

Here are some sunscreens to try:
For the face – MDSolarSciences Mineral Screen Tinted Gel SPF 30, $24 is great for the summer months as it’s a physical block containing titanium dioxide and zinc. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores. Added bonuses: No shiny or gooey residual feel, no added chemical actives, and it adds a subtle hint of color if you want to go sans makeup on the beach.
For the body – Aveeno HYDROSPORT Sunblock Spray with SPF 50, $8.99 is great for when you’re on the go. It provides UVA/UVB protection and stays on despite water and sweat. Added bonuses: Lightweight, non-greasy, and no goopy white mess.

Here’s how:Honor them with the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

There are certain “rules” in life we never question. Green means go, three strikes and you’re out, wash your face twice a day for clear skin.
But what if we told you that one of the above rules couldn’t be more wrong? (And, as you probably guessed, it’s not the one about what green means. Or the strikes.)

Many of us have been following the same skin care regimens our whole lives, which we learned from our moms, who learned from their moms, and so on. We thought they were the perfect way to keep our faces clear and wrinkle-free. Turns out we were wrong

RULE NO. 1: YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR FACE TWICE A DAY

While we’re not saying you should abandon hygiene all together, we recommend that you don’t always need to wash twice a day. If you skipped wearing makeup and don’t live in a polluted city, you can likely get away with sudsing up once a day or even every other day.

In fact, washing less can even be better for you. Cleansing (especially with a harsh product) strips your face of its natural, hydrating oils, drying skin out and also leaving it vulnerable to bacteria. Do that too often, and you could be looking at zit-causing bacteria making its way into your pores.

RULE NO. 2: EXFOLIATING OFTEN IS CRUCIAL

We think of dead skin cells as the enemy, but they do serve a purpose. What does the skin you don’t slough off do? It shields your complexion from environmental pollutants and bacteria. Rather than scrubbing daily, you should only exfoliate once every two weeks.

It’s not just how often you exfoliate, but the type of exfoliator you’re using that also matters. We recommend avoiding face scrubs because “the sharp edges of the particles in some scrubs made from apricot pits and walnut shells can injure the skin.” Instead, try chemical exfoliants (like alpha hydroxy, glycolic, or lactic acid) or more gentle scrubs made from rice or synthetic beads, like Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $50. It uses rice powder to gently exfoliate without scratching the skin. Or if you want to go the chemical route, try a product like DDF Glycolic 5% Daily Cleaning Pads, $35. To look for products that say they are gentle enough for daily use (but you should still only use them every two weeks). Chemical exfoliants may give you a slight tingly feeling, but if you’re ending up with red or irritated skin, the product is too intense and you should try something gentler (look for lower concentrations of the active ingredients).

RULE NO. 3: RETIN-A AND RETINOL ARE JUST FOR WRINKLES

The truth: These ingredients are for everyone. Or at least, everyone who wants help with acne, wrinkles, pore size, skin care prevention, or skin tone (so, as we said, everyone).

Retinol has been around for close to 50 years and has a ton of research to prove its safeness. So rather than jumping from fad ingredient to fad ingredient, we recommend sticking with tried and true retinol to fix almost any skin issue. The best part is that these days, you can find retinol in products to fit almost any budget, from Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, $19.21, to SkinMedica Retinol Complex, $75.

RULE NO. 4: ACNE-PRONE OR OILY SKIN SHOULD ALWAYS USE “OIL-FREE” PRODUCTS

There are a few things wrong with this rule. First, “oil-free” isn’t even a regulated term. Essentially, a brand could slap it on almost any product, so it’s no guarantee that you won’t get zits.

Second reason to ignore this label: Even the oiliest skin needs moisture. Skipping oil can lead to skin that’s chronically dry, which is when skin starts to produce more oil.

Finally, all skin actually needs oil — as long as it’s the right type. “We’ve been told to avoid oils, but there are some, like argan and coconut oil, that are skin compatible, absorb well, and even work [to prevent] acne,” they say. “[These oils] have antibacterial properties and can help balance the skin.” So while it may seem strange to slather on some lavender or argan oil over your broken-out skin, it may just do the trick.

RULE NO. 5: YOU SHOULD USE BENZOYL PEROXIDE OR SALICYLIC ACID TO DRY OUT ZITS

If you suffer from acne, your routine probably involves using a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid spot treatment on any blemishes that pop up. But there’s good reason to re-think that advice.

These ingredients are harsh, irritating, and drying for almost everyone. So while they may kill bacteria and eventually get rid of your zit, they can also leave you with red, flaky skin that’s practically impossible to cover with concealer. A better solution? “Try gentler products like willow bark and clay to calm inflammation and draw out impurities. Gentler products can still fight pimples, and do so without drying your skin and making it look worse during the process.”

RULE NO. 6: YOU NEED A SEPARATE PRODUCT FOR YOUR EYE AREA

Eye cream seems like such a no-brainer part of your skin care regimen, right? But in most cases, you can skip it.

“If the eye cream actually has specific ingredients that you need for your eyes, [like retinol or growth factors] then go ahead and use it. But in general you can just use your face creams on your eye area. Some eye creams are basically the same products anyway in different packaging.” So there’s really no need to spend more money; instead just dab some of your moisturizer and face serums around your eye area as well.

RULE NO. 7: “NATURAL” MEANS IT’S GENTLE

Mother Nature can still do some major damage to your skin. For example, tea tree oil, used sparingly, can be a great way to fight zits. But if you apply too much, your skin can end up as red and flaky as it would have been after a repeated dousing of benzoyl peroxide.

The lesson: Whether a product is “organic” or completely cooked up in a lab, follow the instructions carefully and remember, more is rarely better when it comes to skin care.