Lips rejuvenation: myth or technique

LIPS are the center of our beauty and from ancient times have been a major point of interest for beauticians, poets and artists of all nature.

We are not born with the same beauty traits when it comes to lips and in the aging process there are significant changes that obscure and diminish the beauty of the lips.

 

 

As we can see in the aging process the entire area around the upper and lower lips is wrinkled, lips have lost fat and have a much thinner look and almost no shape; lips are surrounded by sagging folds( nasolabial and marionette), the corners of the mouth are down-pointing, the chin is flat and the jaw line is enlarged.

Can we stop the aging process? or just slow it down?

Few procedures to consider in lip rejuvenation:

FAT TRANSFER in lip rejuvenation is technique dependent and the fat survival after transfer is the maintain of a successful procedure.

• Up to 40% of the transferred fat will not survive the transfer; most physicians opt to transfer an addtional 20% to 40% after full correction is achieved to deliver more fat cells for neovascularization.
• The transplanted fat cells must develop new sources of vascularization to have ongoing nourishing and maintain life.
• At Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging Center we specialize in Fat Transfer using the Viafill disposable kits: our procedures are minimally invasive, painless with little or no downtime depending on the required amount of fat to be transferred.
• Cost including anesthesia and follow up visits start at $1500

CHEMICAL PEELS

•  Medical grade Glycolic 30% can prevent wrinkles around the mouth to form or deepen or stronger peels like the TCA( triclor acetic)or VI Peel 15%can correct moderate degree of wrinkling around the mouth. Peels must be applied to the wrinkled area every 3-4 weeks for up to 6 treatments with a minimum of 3 for adequate results.
• Costs start at $149 to $450

DERMAL-FILLERS are being used in lip rejuvenation to sustain the corners of the mouth , confer volume to lips or fill in  Botox resistant vertical wrinkles around the lip area. Cost for the procedure starts at $350.


BOTOX COSMETIC wil relax the "smoker lines", wrinkles caused by the contraction of orbicularis muscles, or lift corners of the mouth by relaxing the depressor angulis oris. Costs start at $250

ACUPUNCTURE is a beautiful natural technique that complements any other preventative or restorative treatment for the lips by plumping up natural collagen, preventing sagging of the skin, providing stress relief though total body relaxation, promotes better sleep and regulates hormonal imbalances. Works by successive sessions twice a week or weekly for up to 10 sessions minimum of 6. Cost for a package of 6 is $675, and for a package of 10 is $1095( plus you get an additional session for free).

SKIN CARE even though not the center of lip rejuvenation it is mandatory to complement any treatment by providing hydration to lips and surrounding skin;  Nourishing the epidermis and dermis of the "white" lip can prevent wrinkles and sagging of the supporting elements of the lips. skin care is often ignored by the busy New Yorker who prefers quick intense treatments versus longstanding day to day preventative measures. Preventing in the anti-aging battle is the maintain of any  treatment: slowing down the aging process and delaying factors like wrinkles, sagging, large pores, volume shrinkage. Restoring beauty and youth , once lost is possible even though not successful all the time, but requires much more expensive and invasive techniques( surgeries).

Dr. Kerns skin care line is natural, medical strength formula.

High concentration of Vit C, peptides, growth factors, stem cells can and will only be present in a prescription strength physician supervised formulation. Since better skin means better health, a physician embedded program is meant to work at cellular depth to deliver vitality.

Orchidaesthetics@yahoo.com

212-595-1958

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How to get a painless nose job

Getting a Nose job (Rhinoplasty) is not an easy thing: is painful, traumatic to your nasal bridge and septum( the doctor actually breaks down your nasal bones and remodels them), it gets you out of the social life for months. Plus you might not like the initial results, it takes at least 6 months for the shape and new contour of the nose to fit in, you may potentially need a redo.


Unless there is a specific surgical indication just for beauty reasons , there are alternatives much less traumatic to get a nose job (rhinoplasty).


At Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging center our physician Dr. Roxana Kerns, uses a combination of Botox Cosmetic and or Juvederm Ultra or Radiesse fillers to lift the tip of your nose, reshape and straighten where needed the septal ridge of the nose: a non surgical "nose job" or rhinoplasty .

Botox Cosmetic is an Anti-aging injection, painless, with no downtime, that prevents muscle contraction and secondary the wrinkles or folds that are a consequence of such muscle contraction. To elevate the tip of the nose Dr. Roxana Kerns injects the depressor nasal muscle at the base of the nose. By leaving the levators of the tip of the nose having an unopposed action the tip of the nose will be temporarily lifted for 4-8 months. The injection must be repeated at such interval to keep the results ongoing.

Juvederm Ultra or Juvederm Ultra Plus and Radiesse are cosmetic injections,  fillers, that can be used in anti-aging or cosmetic procedures. Dr. Roxana Kerns of Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging center, uses the above fillers to correct the shape of the nose and restore symmetry to the face.
The fillers are injected after application of topical anesthetic in areas of the nasal bridge and septum that are to be corrected. The results render more than 70% customer satisfaction, are painless, done in the office with no downtime or difficult scheduling. Fillers are ultimately absorbed by the body and need to be re-injected at 6 month-2 years interval depending on the filler used or degree of correction necessary. Radiesse tends to last longer than Juvederm and is the filler of choice at Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging center for a non surgical "nose job"(rhinoplasty).

Juvederm Ultra or Juvederm Ultra Plus are less painful than Radiesse and provide a more natural initial look but their longevity for this procedure is not the best.
Juvderm is a hyaluronic acid injection while Radiesse is a mixture of crystals of hydroxiapatite.
While hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin, conjunctiva, crystals of hydroxiapatite have a thicker consistency similar to the bone and tends to stimulate a natural collagen response where injected.
The decision of which filler to use for a non surgical nose job depends on the shape of the nose, prior procedures, doctor and patient preference.

Fat Transfer and PRP are evolving as newer procedures with better results and longevity. PRP can be done complementary to fillers to prolong longevity or to decrease the swelling and inflammatory response.

Fat Transfer is an alternative to fillers and is mostly used in a total face rejuvenation process. At Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging center, Dr. Roxana Kerns uses the Viafill disposable system.

The cost for a surgical nose job can be over $10,000 while a non surgical nose job(rhinoplasty) is only $750.


Dr. Roxana Kerns of Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging center offers complimentary consultations in procedure available for a non surgical nose job(rhinoplasty).

For inquiries please call 212-595-1958 or email orchidaesthetics@yahoo.com
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Non surgical eye rejuvenation

We all know what a blepharoplasty is but how can we erase the time marks around our eyes without using the knife?

Non surgical procedures are very much in vogue and popular on the cosmetic and aesthetic markets and are very desirable when the results delivered match those obtained with surgery as they provide minimal discomfort and or downtime. For a busy New Yorker that says it all: we don't have to take time off from work, refrain from our social activities or worry about pain tolerance.

Depending on the prominent aging marker around your eyes there are few procedures available to help rejuvenate your eyes and bring back a youthful glow.

Non surgical blepharoplasty addresses the rejuvenation of the eyes and its not limited to : fillers or fat to treat "dark circles" and sunken eyes and fill up stubborn wrinkles, Botox Cosmetic to smooth out wrinkles, IPL laser treatments to cool off hypepigmentation of the skin, chemical peels to brighten the skin and erase wrinkles, Laser skintight to firm the sagging upper or lower eyelids.  

Fillers like Restylane or Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus occasional Radiesse can be used in the non surgical eye rejuvenation.  

Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler with fine consistency and can be used with great success to replace the periorbital fat under the eyes or to fill up static stubborn wrinkles that form the "crow's feet" around the eyes.   In the aging process the periorbital fat migrates down into the nasolabial folds and leaves the eyes with "shadows" or "dark circles" that create a sunken look of the eyes.       Restylane before and after in eye rejuvenation



Juvederm Ultra and Juvderm Ultra PLus offer sometimes better longevity even though in the periorbital area there is a tendency of the fillers to stay longer as the muscle contractions are not strong enough to increase the absorption rate of such filler. Restylane gives instant youthful results and is more indicated for lesser degree of "sunken eyes" or where the dermis is very thin, where Juvederm is more of a choice with deep grooves or thicker dermis.

Radiesse is more or less of a choice in the eye rejuvenation, at Orchid Aesthetics we primarily use it to enhance the premalar cheek area right under the eye. Even though many plastic surgeons or aesthetic physicians prefer Radiesse in the eye rejuvenation, we must caution customers on the higher degree of swelling, lumpiness and pain associated with Radiesse

At Orchid Aesthetics we prefer autologous FAT TRANSFER using the Viafill disposable kits and nonsurgical approach instead of Radiesse in the eye rejuvenation treatments.

The benefits of Fat Transfer are: no allergies or sensitivities to product, smoother look, no lumpiness, less bruising as we use blunt cannula(s), longer results; downside: more expensive, rare to find an aesthetic physician trained in the procedure.

Botox Cosmetic is the number one anti-wrinkle treatment in New York and its benefits definitely outweigh the risks. Is being used in eye rejuvenation to smooth out "crows feet" periorbital wrinkles.

Chemical peels like TCA or VI Peel( combination of TCA, Phenol, Salicilic ac) can also be used to rejuvenate both upper and lower eyelids: smooth out fine wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, refresh the texture of the skin.

Laser or Radiofrequency skintight is a procedure to tighten and firm sagging upper or lower eyelids. It complements Fillers and or Botox in the eye rejuvenation process.

Dr. Kerns of Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa is very savvy about eye rejuvenation and offers complimentary consultations.

You can email your requests to orchidaesthetics@yahoo.com or call 212-595-1958.

Cellulite what's new?

what is cellulite?

Cellulite is the definition of fat deposits, lumped under thinner skin  with an "orange peel" texture, giving the skin a dimpled, lumpy appearance.

Am I too Fat?

It is not directly caused by excess weight and it is not a characteristic of obesity or overweight persons.
Repeated cycles of weight gain and weight loss can compromise skin elasticity, making cellulite more pronounced.
 

Why Me?

Collagen is a protein found in skin or connective tissue. If that connective tissue somehow becomes damaged, too thin, then the fat underneath your skin can surface through in a lumpy fashion that we call cellulite.

Genetics : Cellulite is directly and strongly related to your genetic heritage. You can have the perfect lifestyle, eat the best food, have a slim figure and still have advanced cellulite.



Hormonal imbalances can predispose to cellulite: too much estrogen, also known as estrogen dominance, which can result from eating a high amount of processed foods, soy, and packaged foods, or from physical inactivity or stress.

 Aging :as the skin loses its elasticity from getting older, smoking, sun exposure, and weight gain and loss, the skin becomes thinner and sags.

Lifestyle is not directly related to your degree of cellulite but a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain a slim figure , constant body weight, strong toned muscles that mask and prevent cellulite .

Why women and not men?

Why the preponderance of cellulite in females compared to males ?

• both men and women have alpha and beta estrogen receptors.

• Beta receptors are responsible for breaking down fat, and alpha receptors are responsible for producing more fat.

• And women have about a ten times more alpha receptors than beta receptors compared to men!

 

Do creams work? 

Creams containing methylxanthines, including caffeine, aminophylline and theophyllin have been postulated to help, but the extent of improvement is questionable,

Herbal creams containing a variety of ingredients, such as gingko biloba, sweet clover, and evening primrose oil, claim to reduce cellulite, perhaps by affecting circulation.

Lymphatic massage ?

Lipomassage devices knead the skin with a combination of massage and suction. Several different machines are in use at Medispas and dermatology practices, and at least one has been approved by the FDA for a temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Generally, the treatment requires 35-minute sessions twice a week or weekly for 6-14 weeks. The cellulite is likely to return 6-18 months after the treatments stop.

Radiofrequency?

Radiofrequency devices deliver heat -- sometimes combined with tissue massage -- to damage the underlying fat and the connective tissue. This is designed to spur skin tightening and to smooth out the dimpled skin. Small studies have shown benefits, at least temporarily.

Mesotherapy

This controversial and unapproved procedure involves injections of fat-dissolving substances beneath the skin, such as phosphatidylcholine, which is a lecithin extract, and sodium deoxycholate, a detergent. The FDA has issued warnings related to "lipodissolve" products. Side effects include swelling, rash, or infection. The FDA says some products have caused "permanent scarring, skin deformation, and painful knots."

Liposuction?

Cellulite is generally not treated by liposuction, on the contrary liposuction can aggravate cellulite, therefore is not indicated.

 

Ultrasound?

Ultrasound waves penetrate below the dermis at the fatty conjuctival enclaved fatty deposits, fight thickening, impaired lymphatic and blood circulation in case of cellulite. Penetrating deeply into the tissues, ultrasonic waves destroy the connective tissue bridges between the fat cells, improves lymph circulation in the impact zone, stimulates metabolism, and normalizes the structure of collagen.

 

Cool Laser?

The procedure uses a device that combines suction and low-intensity laser light to temporarily reduce cellulite. The suction stimulates draining of lymphatic fluid. Lymphatic fluid is often blamed for aggravating cellulite. The laser component of cold-laser massage also aims to stimulate collagen to tone cellulite-ridden areas.

You are not alone!

Hollywood has been flagged with the infamous cellulite! The list of  celebrities with cellulite includes stars such as Britney Spears, Beyonce, Donatella Versace, Kim Kardashian, and Paris Hilton.
Many women feel that seeing their favorite star with skin problems will aleviate how they feel about their own body issues.

We all strive to have perfect skin and we encourage you not to give up! Just have patience, perseverance and dont' forget to enjoy life!

On Oprah's show:

Thalgo : ageless marine beauty

Skin care products are a must but choosing the right product and or line is a challenge!

 

Why did we at Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa and Anti-aging center choose Thalgo as our main skin care line?

 

1. The Ocean is the only endless life "on" earth and all Thalgo products are "algae" based.
2. Algae have been recognized worldwide for their nourishing properties, Thalgo opens a new world based on the science of seaweed.
3. The Ocean and Marine elements are free from exposure to all terestial  pollutants, therefore they are Natural and Organic
4. Thalgo is a very reputable professional  skin care line available only in spas or medical settings, their efficiency has been proven over more than 40 years all over the world.
5. We are very picky and choose only those products that in a combination treatment give the best results, with no side effects.
6. Over 5 years of using Thalgo in our treatments we encountered NO skin allergies, side effects, intolerance irrespective of the level  of sensitivity of the skin.

          Which Thalgo products we recommend for you?

• ANTI-WRINKLE

Collagen Cream is a deep nourishing cream, which hydrates skin with its fullness and smooths out fine and medium wrinkles to perfection. Recommended for fall/winter/spring, mostly in population of age 40 and above or younger if there is a predisposition for wrinkles or severe sun exposure/damage.

Terre& Mer anti-ageing concentrate is a 100% natural mixture of olive, sunflower and sweet almond oils; is a serum that only requires a drop on the wrinkle twice a day to keep and fade your wrinkles away! Use throughout the year on the wrinkles only complements treatments like Botox Cosmetic and increases its longevity.

Terre& Mer soothing concentrate, 100% natural,complements the anti-aging serum and calms down sensitive skin, recommended as application after chemical peels,sunburn or sun damaged skin or to replace the anti-aging serum  when sensitivities are present.

Vital Cream or Fluid 100% organic, with olive leaf extract provides intense hydrating and nourishing while preventing fine wrinkles, maintains skin supple and smooth: recommended for early prevention of wrinkles and as a moisturizer.

Absolute Rehydrate serum an intense moisturizer, provides radiance and vitality to tired looking skin; recommended for all ages as a daily moisturizer.

DeliciousComfort Cream is a rich cream in shea butter and algomega complex that treats and prevents advanced signs of aging. For lipid dry skin, Thalgo Delicious Comfort Cream instantly restores suppleness and comfort.

• EYE CARE

Revitalizing eye cream is enriched with marine elastin and plant extracts, this firming cream helps prevent loss of elasticity for youthful looking eye contours. Contains Marine Elastin, Hazel tree extract, Hyssop, & Chamomile.

Firming eye gel  is excellent for puffiness, resulting in a more rested and youthful look while decreasing swelling or minimizing wrinkles around your eyes. Contains Marine Plankton, Spirulina, Amino Acids, Crab and Lobster extracts, Wheat Protein.

• ACNE OR BLEMISHED SKIN

Thalgodermyl Purifying Extract contains  Controlamine, Pam Extract (Grapefruit)®, Kaolin, & Micronized Marine Algae.
Works wonders on blemishes skin by controlling and regulating the sebuum secretions, preventing clogging of the pores and providing  anti-bacterial properties by its natural ingredient Controlamine from Algae.

 Deep Cleansing Absorbent Mask with its main ingredient natural clay, absorbs excess sebum and clears away the skin's impurities, helps with closing and minimizing pores while keep skin looking fresh, matte and healthy.

Intense Regulating Serum controls the sebum rate, tightens pores and refines the texture of the skin.

Microdermabrasion or Chemical Peel?

Rejuvenating skin treatments are very popular but misunderstood by the general population.

If Chemical peels work so well why do we need to exfoliate using Microdermabrasion?

How are they different and to what extent they work synergistic?

We went over Chemical peels in our prior blog so lets spend some time understanding Microdermabrasion.
The philosophy behind microdermabrasion is similar to chemical peels: we need to resurface the superficial layers of the skin and exfoliate to regenerate the texture of the skin.
While chemical peels are based on acid-induced(and a ph change ) reaction at the epidermis or dermis, microdermabrasion uses mechanical forces to abrade dead skin cells and stimulate collagen formation with a final refreshed, glow skin look.
As chemical peels can be light, medium and deep, so is microdermabrasion: according to the type of machine the vacuum power that suctions away the crystals and or debris/dead skin cells, can vary from minimal to  very strong in medical grade machines. The crystals most popular are aluminum oxide and the microdiamond tips come in different sizes according to the texture of the skin: fine, medium or coarse.
Resurfacing the skin by either chemical peels, microdermabrasion or both is a very simple beauty trick that can be incorporated with a facial treatment for better and consistent results.

Even though your skin is naturally younger with just one treatment, repeated serial treatments are mandatory for the best possible results. So buying a package when offered a discount is the way to go!


Any side effects?


A well done professional Chemical peel or Microdermabrasion should not encounter serious side effects, other than mild redness, scaling and flaking.


What are the contraindications to Microdermabrasion?

If you experience Rosacea, swelling, large surface of broken capilaries, dermatitis, you are not a good candidate for Microdermabrasion or any other mechanical abrasive device. You can still benefit from a professional chemical peel but choose your practitioner wisely.


I suffer from acne scars: should I have a chemical peel or microdermabrasion?


Depending on the type of the scar, there are a variety of treatments available. Blemished skin with active acne and with mild scaring can benefit from glycolic peels, TCA peels, Salicilic acid( Jessner, VI peel). As long as your acne is active and not completely healed you are not a good candidate for microdermabrasion, as the salt/diamond tips can irritate and aggravate your acne.
 

At Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa we had amazing results with just one application of glycolic peel followed by Thalgodermyl mask.
If your acne is healed and in the healing process there was some scarring, depending on how deep the scars are a chemical peel with or without the microdermabrasion  is still the number one treatment. It does not mean microdermabrasion does not help but the depth of the treatment is given by the type and concentration of the chemical peel.

Chemical peel should be done at least 3 times/year with increasing concentration or depth if treating a skin condition( scars, wrinkles), or every other month light peels for maintenance. You can add microdermabrasion to a facial or a chemical as long as you are not exposed to intense sunlight for better results. Microdermabrasion does not substitute for a chemical peel, unless you have a contraindication to it or you have known allergies.

ImageDerm Microdermbrasion is a medical grade very powerful tool in experienced, trained hands. Your skin will not only be resurfaced with no downtime, but will continue to show improvement for long time after the treatment.
Orchid Aesthetics Medical Spa uses only professional grade systems and skin care products and with a little application only we achieve great results that save your time and money on deeper, invasive resurfacing (laser) treatments.