A New Year, A New You
Tips to help you look younger and feel healthier
By Mary Kay Kleist
As you say goodbye to 2012, say goodbye to the old you by making yourself look and feel your best.
Start with your skin
There are endless skin care product lines available. However, layering too many different products on your skin at the same time can actually stress out your skin and cause more harm than good. “What’s anti-aging from one brand can actually prevent another brand’s anti-ager from working. Some combinations can even cause more irritation to your skin,” said Dr. Jessie Cheung, co-director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Rush University Medical Center. The simple solution is to stay within one brand. Some companies even offer a multi-step system to make it easier for you.
Expensive vs. inexpensive products
Expensive skin care products often smell nicer and have fancier packaging then generic or non-brand products. However, Dr. Cheung says the less expensive products can often have the same benefits, with the same active ingredients, at a fraction of the cost. You should read the labels and look for these active ingredients: Retinol, Retinaldehyde, Alpha-hydroxy acid, Beta-hydroxy acid, Peptides, or Anti-oxidants (such as vitamin C).
Dr. Cheung reminds us of perhaps the most important and inexpensive anti-aging ingredient – sunscreen. Use it all year, even on overcast days, since harmful ultraviolet rays are still present. “I wear sunscreen on my face and neck all year round, and take a daily vitamin D supplement,” said Dr. Cheung.
Non-surgical treatments
Did you ever come across someone who always looks so vibrant and rested, but you can’t put your finger on the reason? “Non-surgical treatments can help enhance a person’s natural beauty and achieve natural results with minimal to no downtime,” said Dr. Bryan Rubach, Center for Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Naperville. “Often patients receive positive comments by family and friends after a treatment, and this improves self-esteem, and as a result, self-confidence.”
Botox
As skin ages, the amount of collagen decreases and wrinkles develop. “Botox relaxes the muscles that create creases in the skin. Botox improves the appearance of worry lines, laugh lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet,” said Dr. Rubach. Results can last on average three to four months and as long as six months with regular injections.
Juvederm
“The most common area treated for men and women is the ‘parenthesis’ lines around the nose and mouth. Juvederm fills this area instantly and adds youthful volume,” said Dr. Rubach. Possible side effects might include temporary mild swelling or bruising to the injection site. Results can last one year.
Latisse
Latisse helps grow lashes longer, thicker, and darker. Each night, you apply the solution along your lash line. Results are visible in 12 to 16 weeks. If you stop using Latisse, your lashes return to their previous state. “Latisse can be used by all patients except for those who have glaucoma or other eye issues. Common side effects such as redness to the eyelid and skin darkening to the eyelid are reversible,” said Dr. Rubach. He also says it’s safe if you wear contacts, as long as you remove them before using Latisse.
Coolsculpt
Got love handles or a belly bulge? If you’re within 10 to 30 pounds of your ideal weight and height, you may want to check out Coolsculpt. This treatment freezes fat cells. Your body then eliminates the crystallized fat cells, creating a more sculpted look. “There is no downtime and results are seen in six to eight weeks. One treatment can eliminate up to 25% of the fat cells in the treated area. As long as the patient maintains a healthy diet and lifestyle, the results are long lasting,” said Dr.
Rubach.
See more of CBS 2 Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist’s reports at www.cbschicago.com/marykaykleist
SIDEBAR
ESTIMATED COSTS:
BOTOX: $250-$700
JUVEDERM: $500-$800
LATISSE: $120 (3ml), $179 (5ml)
COOLSCULPT: $1000-$3000