Irina Kulikova, a feline 17-year-old Russian, appeared on no fewer than 24 runways in New York last month, a success she went on to repeat in Milan with 14 shows, and in Paris with 24 more.
Irina Kulikova was born in 1982 in Chelyabinsk Russia, the daughter of a musical family, and at the age of six commenced studying the Guitar. In 1992 she was admitted into the International Organization and in October the same year she won the first prize for young guitar players at the International Competition in Chelyabinsk.
Lily Donaldson has had several high fashion modeling campaigns, which include leading fashion houses such as Dior, Jil Sander, and Dolce & Gabbana. But Donaldson isn't just a pretty face. She is now considered one of the top ten international supermodels.
Phelps, an average looking all-American type, has apparently landed superhot supermodel Lily Donaldson, best known for replacing Kate Moss as the face of Burberry. Apparently those spoils include models and playing grab-ass with fellow team members. Like her good friend Irina Lazareanu, this mannequin's talents aren't limited to modeling: She considered art school before being discovered. And while Lily looks up to Linda Evangelista, many people are already calling her the next Kate Moss for her killer combination of beauty, smarts, and personal style.
Cosmetics should compliment the skin color of the face and body. When makeup is applied to look natural it will enhance the natural beauty. When you feel good about your makeup you will be more confident and will have one less thing to worry about.
Cosmetics are created to compliment the skin color of the face and body. The most noticeable factor used in determining your best cosmetic colors are your facial skin, your hair and eye color. The color on your face should go with the color of your hair, eyes, and skin and should appeal to your sense of self as well as be appropriate for the occasion.
Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup, permanent waves, hair colors, deodorants, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, and many other types of products. Their use is widespread, especially among women in Western countries. Cosmetics were also widely used in what is known today as Iran as well as the Middle East.
Eye shadow can be powdery as well as creamy. Different eye shadow shades can be used at a same time to create different looks. Eye makeup comprises of all the makeup and makeup accessories that you would use to decorate or highlight your eyes.
Foundation usually contains a vitamin or talc base and helps cover up any flaws on the face. Cream foundation is ideal for dry skin but liquid foundation is best for day make-up. Foundation is then applied; this can be in the form of a liquid or mineral powder which gives the skin an even tone and texture. The choice of shade is important, it is best to use a foundation which is the closest to your natural skin tone.
Tips on how to apply powder. When it comes to powder, there is quite a variety to choose from. One way to brighten your eyes is to avoid drinking alcohol and substitute mineral water instead. Smiling is one way to brighten up not only your eyes, but your whole face. However, if you used a self tanner on your face skip this step unless you'll end up looking like you burned yourself.
Eye makeup is the fun part of applying cosmetics. Some simple eye makeup tips. Eyes, lips, face skin, nails ? These useful tips, makeup tricks and advice from professionals will help you prepare for Christmas in the best way possible. Eyes occupy the most prominent place among the five sensory organs of our body. Large and beautiful eyes enhance one?s beauty manifold.
Eyeliners and mascara are also required so that you can highlight the details of the eye and give it a nice feel. Apart from these, make up brushes of various sizes and shapes are needed and these depend on the requirements of the person. Eyes for spring are awash in light, luminescent finishes, not heavy liner and dark shadows.
Giorgio Armani collection was founded in Milan in 1975 by Giorgio Armani - the company's President. Giorgio Armani is the president of the fashion company that bears his own name. That happens not so often when the owner of the company completely controls 100% of his business and is the only shareholder. Giorgio Armani controls every aspect of his company business: from creation to the production. Besides, he controls the distribution of all products. He is the chairman, chief executive and designer of his fashion empire. The Armani fashion house is one of the main luxury goods groups in the world. The group consists of 4,600 employees and 13 factories. Nowadays, Giorgio Armani brand is famous for its quality and is a leader in the fashion industry on the world arena. Though Armani is the most coveted brand in the world, he has competitors. The competitors of Giorgio Armani Corporation are situated mainly in the Apparel industry. They include: Dolce & Gabbana, Gianni Versace and Hugo Boss. Italian fashion powerhouse Giorgio Armani is one of the world’s most popular designer brands. Really, Giorgio Armani Fashion Empire is at the top of world brands. Giorgio Armani is the world’s most coveted designer having remarkable power and universal appraisal of his luxury fashion house. People adore Giorgio Armani goods and accessories and they would buy Giorgio Armani if the money is not a problem. There are those who already purchase Giorgio Armani and those who would like to buy the goods in future if they have money. The secret of Giorgio Armani’s success is in the strong brand idea that makes his business stable and profitable. 35 years ago Giorgio Armani knew that creating the image of the products would be paramount to his success. He does not just sell goods, he sells brand and image and people are ready to pay even the highest price for it. The image embodies the characteristic features and customers wish to be associated with them. Giorgio Armani label has the major style and values. People know that Armani goods can be worn several seasons or even years and still it will be a fashionable thing. Consumers buy not only goods but the “brand’s timelessness”. Italians place Armani among the most popular and desirable fashion brands at present and in the future. In 2005 Armani Company has noticed a rise in the turnover that resulted mainly from store openings. The return has increase to 8% of the whole revenue. The growth was noticed mainly in Japan and USA. It is necessary to mention that perfumes and cosmetics have increased significantly at this period. Armani believes that cosmetics and accessories present the biggest growth potential in the future and the expansion of these sectors must be developed. Giorgio Armani is often asked about the future of his company. He believes the popularity and the company’s turnover rise speaks for itself. Recently Giorgio Armani Cosmetics has been increased in sales. The aim of Giorgio Armani is to widen his positions at the world’s arena, look at propositions of retailers and expand. The expansion will take place in USA, Italy and France with opening new doors and perfumeries. Giorgio Armani is one of the world’s largest fashion companies, having presence in about 125 countries. Originally, this luxury company focused on one brand. Later on it widened the line of products to other business segments such as cosmetics. Nowadays, one can buy Armani beauty products in stores worldwide. Despite the growth and expansion of Giorgio Armani Empire, people wonder what will happen to his fashion house after his retirement. Really, Armani plans to sell his business completely but only when he finds a person who understands the significance of this business. Besides, the business must be left in its current state. Till then he wants to continue his work. He thinks he has enough strength to go on.
We only get one chance at a first impression, and the person who projects the best self-image makes the best impression. In today's competitive society, people recognize the importance of self-improvement, whether it is for social or professional reasons. Exercise, skin care and nutrition are important but can only do so much. Real structural change requires more. In a sense, cosmetic surgery offers a second chance - the opportunity to defy both the calendar and genetics. Here I have compiled some of the most successful techniques used to achieve this goal.
Rejuvenation Techniques
Facelift (rhytidectomy)
Over the past few years, the term facelift has become a topic of increased interest and discussion. The cumulative effects of time, gravity and heredity show on any face. The facelift operation itself, also known as rhytidectomy, is performed to correct double chins and sagging jowls. The modern-day, long-lasting facelift operation, involves the permanent removal of undesirable accumulations of fat. As well, sagging muscles and connective tissue are repositioned and re-supported.
Because excess fat is now removed in the operation, patients no longer need to lose weight before surgery. In fact, for people who previously had chubby cheeks or a fat neck, one of the benefits of facelift surgery is an apparent loss of weight following surgery. The overall effect is a younger, fresher and more vibrant (yet natural) appearance.
Often lumped under the term facelift are a group of operations designed to rejuvenate faces that show signs of aging. These include blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow and forehead lift, mid-face lift, and skin resurfacing, among others.
48 year old woman before and after
facelift, browlift, and chin augmentation
Blepharoplasty
Americans stress eye contact and believe that they can judge a person’s character by what they see in their eyes. While people talk most about facelifts, the most popular age reversing operation among my patients these days involves the eyelids. Heavy, ‘hooded’ (drooping) upper eyelids and baggy lower eyelids make people look tired, old, and certainly past their prime. The surgical correction known as blepharoplasty can remove the fatty pouches that cause these unfortunate problems. When present, skin that has become stretched over the years can also be removed. Upper eyelid drooping, which sometimes partially obscures vision, is corrected by removal of excess skin, muscle and fat. Incisions follow natural contour lines in the upper eyelids, and in the lower lid can be made on the inside, so there is no scar at all. In some cases, circles under the eyes can be filled in and the lids tightened.
Brow and Forehead Lift
A pleasing eyebrow shape and arch is associated with youth and beauty. On the other hand, an unfavorable eyebrow shape and angle can make a person look tired, worried or angry. The brow and forehead lift, in addition to lifting the eyebrows back to where they belong, smoothes out a deeply furrowed and pinched forehead. I prefer the high-tech endoscopic method, which is a big improvement to older more invasive surgery, because it requires only very small incisions within the hair. A tiny video-connected scope is then passed under the skin; the tissues are released, repositioned, and secured into position. With this advanced procedure I no longer make the old fashioned long incision across the top of the head and never remove scalp or hair. The benefits are brighter, more open eyes, a fresher, and more pleasant and alert demeanor.
Mid-Face Lift
The mid-face is the area immediately below the eyes, next to the nose and above the lips. It is left behind by the facelift discussed above, which benefits the jowls, under the chin, and the neck. The mid-face lift corrects sagging in this important area in the center of the face, helps circles under the eyes, and enhances cheekbone definition. I perform the mid-face lift with the only incisions in the scalp and inside the mouth under the lip. In other words, it can be done with no facial scars. The mid-face lift can be done alone or in combination with any of the other facial rejuvenation procedures.
Botox
Botox is used for the treatment of frown lines, forehead furrows, "crow’s feet", and lines and wrinkles of the lower face. Botox has proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatment. The type of lines and wrinkles that respond to Botox injections are those caused by muscles—specifically those muscles that contract during facial expressions such as frowning or squinting. It works by relaxing the muscles that cause the lines so wrinkles smooth out. There is no downtime, and patients can immediately resume normal activities.
Skin Resurfacing
Skin resurfacing uses either a laser or special chemicals to smooth the skin, reduce wrinkling, and even out the complexion. I personally use the newer Erbium: YAG laser, which has proven to be a kinder and gentler alternative, with much faster recovery than the CO2 laser.
Some people prefer to correct one thing at a time -- what one of my patients once called "weeding the garden." Others want a more dramatic improvement; they have as much done as necessary and feasible at once so as to achieve maximum benefits. It is an individual choice, and one of the reasons a thorough consultation with a well-qualified, experienced, sympathetic plastic surgeon is so important. I have found that video imaging assists in creating plans for facial surgery that meet each individual's specific needs and desires.
Breakthroughs in anesthesia methods and monitoring devices have made it possible for all of these operations to be performed on an outpatient basis. This is a positive step because patients feel more comfortable and heal faster in this environment. In addition, outpatient procedures reduce expenses overall.
Techniques for the Body
Body Contouring Surgery
In the months leading up to the summer, I see an influx of women seeking to re-contour their figures. They are usually trying to plan ahead, getting their ‘problem areas’ taken care of well in advance of spring and summer's more revealing clothing styles.
According to statistics kept by the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Liposculpture, more commonly known as liposuction, has become the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure. I choose to perform the tumescent form of liposculpture, which can be done on an outpatient basis.
In liposculpture, a combination of saline (saltwater) and local anesthetic is first flooded into the areas to be contoured. Working through tiny incisions just large enough to fit the thin liposculpture vacuum tube, fat cells and some fluid are then gently swept away by suctioning back and forth under the skin. Liposculpture is truly a matter of sculpting the human form; it effectively removes unwanted fat from areas that are often resistant to diet and exercise. These can include the neck, upper arms, chest, sides, abdomen, thighs, hips, knees and ankles.
Other procedures for figure improvement include abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast lift, breast reduction, and--last but not least--cosmetic breast surgery. Saline implants, which have now replaced silicone gel implants, are used both to enlarge and to enhance shape. Following surgery, many of my patients are particularly happy that the tops of their bathing suits fit as well as the bottoms.
Any of the procedures described in this article can potentially help to improve physical appearance and enhance self-image. But no matter what procedure you choose, be sure to do your homework and choose a qualified, experienced plastic surgeon.
Our skin is the body's largest organ and is our protective barrier against heat, cold, disease and pollutants. However, the skin also has the ability to absorb substances, so careful choice of the skin care products we use is important.
Four threats to healthy skin. The four areas that concern us most about our skin is the effect of aging, cellulite, sun damage and acne.
While it's impossible to permanently reverse the effects of aging on the skin, there are many anti aging skin care products that will slow it down or even reverse it temporarily by reducing wrinkles and fine lines, restoring elasticity and smoothing the texture of the skin.Cellulite is the layman's term for areas of trapped fat just below the surface of the skin that give the skin the infamous 'orange peel' texture. The best non-surgical treatments include products that increase metabolism, break down the fat and reduce the appearance of cellulite by giving a smoother, firmer and a more toned look to the skin.
TheCollagenStore - Save on Anti-Aging Products Sun damage is probably the most deceptive threat to healthy skin. The sun's UVA and UVB rays, while making us look healthy, can actually lead to premature wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin problems.
Therefore, its vital to apply a sunscreen to protect the skin. If we already have sun damaged skin, there is a wide variety of products available that will strengthen the skins own protective barrier and soothe irritation.The most common forms of acne occur when the hair follicles get blocked, trapping the sebum below the surface of the skin where bacteria can grow. Successful treatment includes a variety of cleansing remedies depending on the severity and type of acne you have.
Apart from these four areas, we all have different skin types - oily skin, dry skin, itchy skin, sensitive skin, pale skin, dark skin - all of which can be protected and enhanced with regular use of a well chosen skin care product from the best online suppliers.
What is this obsession about beauty that makes us alter our bodies to please the eyes of other people? Is it the fault of television programs and huge billboards that brainwash us everyday to look good? Are they the ones setting the correct meaning of what it beautiful or not?
You have to agree, people are social beings. We belong to different groups in our society such as family, community, work group, sports group, religious group, and our circle of close friends. The people in our lives influence our thoughts and beliefs. For example, if you have intimate friends who are drug addicts, it’s probable that you will become a drug addict too. So if you are frequently associated with people who are obsessed about beauty, you will consider plastic surgery too, just to be an important part of the circle.
Not too long ago, only rich women in their fifties or sixties are thinking about plastic surgery. The famous ones are Botox, liposuction, and face lift. But today, younger women are dipping into the world of artificial beauty too. Can you imagine 18-24 year olds saving every penny they’ve got to get a breast implant? What about those fat young girls who are toying about the idea of liposuction and tummy tuck instead of eating proper diet and exercising to lose weight?
Internet statistics confirm this phenomenon. Majority of visitors to plastic surgery sites are within this age demographic (18-24), and it has been increasing every year. While older women now are visiting sites on keeping healthy and preventing diseases, the young generation is deeply focused in improving outer beauty such as skin care, weight loss, bodybuilding, and of course, plastic surgery.
Although, there is one thing that prevents the majority of these young people from going under the surgeon’s knife: high cost. In fact, a more detailed search statistic reported that common Google searches include the word “cost” such as “breast augmentation cost,” “breast implant cost,” or “plastic surgery cost.” This indicates that even though outer appearance is an obsession, economic consideration is still the number one show stopper, especially in the face of the declining U.S. economy.
Another reason for delaying plastic surgery is the fear that surrounds this procedure. Although there are a lot of successful operations already, there are also risks associated with it. We can never remove the fact that some doctors make mistakes, or the possibility that our body will react adversely to the operation.
Have you heard of the tragic story in the U.S. where Stephanie Kuleba, a cheerleader (18 years old) died of complications as a result of going through a breast augmentation procedure? Scary! And there were many more that ended with the same fate.
So if you are young, think really hard before you decide to have plastic surgery. Remember that you still have a long life ahead of you. Would it be worth it? Do you really think everybody needs to have a perfect body? Maybe you can learn from the old verse that says “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” Just highlight what’s good in your body today, and your beauty will shine through.
Three years ago, when a 15-year-old British girl decided to get breast implants for her sixteenth birthday, the story made headlines around the world. Since then, media reports have continued to speculate that cosmetic surgery, once the exclusive domain of wealthy older women, is a trendy new option for any teenager with an adolescent hang-up.
Dr. Darrick Antell, a top New York City plastic surgeon, says he has seen an increase in the number of teenage patients but cautions against calling it a trend. “One of the main reasons for the increase is visibility: today’s teenagers are growing up with parents who have had cosmetic surgery, so they see and hear about it more. The media has also done a good job of making people aware of the procedures available. Another reason is acceptability. In a way, plastic surgery has come out of the closet,” Dr. Antell says.
When details of cosmetic procedures are frequently discussed on talk shows and published in magazines, it’s not surprising that they filter into our consciousness. “Sometimes when I’m out to dinner with my friends, we’ll play a game called ‘What would you have done?’ where we sort of daydream and discuss what we would do if money was no object and the procedures were safe,” says 18-year-old Alison Preiss, an Ontario high school student. While Preiss doesn’t think she could actually go through with a procedure, she says it could go either way. “I could grow up to realize that there are more important things than my nose, or it could really bother me to the point where I decide to have surgery. I suppose it depends on my lifestyle and career choices,” Preiss says.
Suzanne Ma, a 19-year-old Ryerson University student, has considered a double eyelid procedure popular in Asia. “I’m Chinese, and I don’t like my eyes. I don’t have double eyelids, so I feel that my eyes look a lot smaller than they really are. My concerns are not entirely for cosmetic reasons. With my heavy eyelids, my eyelashes don’t grow out properly. Some of them get trapped under the eyelids and it’s very easy for me to get an infection,” Ma says.
As in North America, plastic surgery is booming overseas, especially in wealthier Asian countries like Taiwan and Korea, where it is seen as a way to improve career prospects and self-confidence. In China, women and some men are paying thousands of dollars to have a brutal surgical procedure performed that lengthens their legs so they can fulfill height requirements often used to narrow down the number of job applicants.
Although reasons for cosmetic surgery range from getting a better look to improving job prospects, often the common factor among patients is more than skin deep. “Teenagers who are thinking about having plastic surgery to change the way they look are often addressing issues of self-esteem,” says psychotherapist Dorothy Ratusny. “Between the ages of 13 and 19, there’s a lot of emphasis on peers and what others think of you. It’s also a time when things such as not being part of the popular crowd, changes in financial situation and divorce can negatively affect a teenager’s self esteem.”
Cosmetic surgery may have a positive impact if your body image is consistently tied to a negative focus on a particular facial feature or body part. Dr. Antell says, “The classic case is a teenage patient of mine who had reconstructive surgery to correct a significant discrepancy between her upper and lower jaws. When she came into my office for the initial consultation she was constantly looking at the floor. After the surgery, she was looking up and smiling. Now she’s singing in her local school group.” Dr. Antell is careful to point out that there are murky areas. “Liposuction is one of those areas. So is breast augmentation because you’re not really sure that the teenager has stopped growing yet. But there are exceptions, for example, if a patient has breast asymmetry.” Dr. Mitchell Brown, a plastic surgeon at Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre in Toronto says, “Correcting breast asymmetry, when women develop breasts that are different in terms of shape and size, can be appropriate for teenage girls because it causes a very significant psychological impact on them during their developmental years.
Doctors are very aware of the psychological drama affecting our lives and it has become a very important factor when evaluating a patient. Dr. Brown says, “The key thing from my perspective is to assess physical, emotional and psychological maturity before treating a patient. I spend a great deal of time with my patients, regardless of their age, to determine that they have thought out their concern carefully and have reasonable goals and expectations.” In other words, cosmetic surgery can improve a patient’s body but it won’t necessarily improve their self-image or guarantee happiness. Dr. Antell says, “I’ve done liposuction on a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. This is somebody most people would think looked perfect. But she was very insecure. She didn’t see herself the way others did. I can’t give people confidence.”
So, if you’re considering cosmetic surgery you need to ask yourself what you hope to achieve because it’s not going to be the one magic solution that makes everything better. In fact, it may even change you for the worse—just surf the Web and read the thousands of horror stories from people hoping to find peace of mind or happiness by going under the knife.
Dr. Ratusny says, “[Teens] need to be really realistic with the fact that cosmetic surgery may be only one piece of many things that serve to improve aspects of themselves. There may be physical changes but the real change begins with who they are inside.”
We’ve all been there. We have a party to go to but can’t afford, or don’t want, to buy a new outfit to wear. So what do we do? The answer is to think outside of the box, scour the closet to find same good basic pieces and put them together to make an outfit that looks new!
Find a top and bottom Start with something that you love because of the way it fits. It could be a sexy top, a pair of pants that hug every curve, or a flirty skirt. The item can be solid in color or some kind of print. Whatever it is, the point is to choose something that gives you a lot of confidence - if you feel good, you will automatically look even better.
Next choose a piece of clothing that will complete the ensemble. If your top is printed, look for a solid bottom. If the top is solid itself, be sure to choose a color for the bottom that either matches or coordinates. While you are certainly free to choose a patterned bottom, it isn’t recommended since it will make the outfit much harder to accessorize, so try to keep the outfit as basic as possible, since that will make it easier to jazz up. Choose base colors like black, winter white, taupe, chocolate, or gray. Those are much easier to build upon.
Make some changes Put the outfit on and look at yourself in the mirror to make sure you are happy with your starting point. If not, look for ways to improve the look. Perform some minor alterations if necessary. For example, you could narrow some wide-legged pants to make a more updated and sophisticated style. Change a blouse’s length, making it shorter to accent the great fit of the pants. If making alternations isn’t your thing, try switching out the tops or bottoms until you get something with you are comfortable with.
Shoes Once you have the color and shape that you want for your outfit, it’s time to think about shoes. Choose something classic like high heels, strappy metallic sandals, or a great pair of boots in a pattern or color that will accent your look. If you can’t find something that works, think about dyeing a pair of shoes to match your outfit. Another option would be to add clip-ons or other décor to a pair of pumps. Better still, hand paint a design onto the shoes. It can be one that represents your personality or matches the print in your clothing.
Accessorize Next, think about how to accessorize. Start with jewelry. If possible, choose something trendy and hot for the season, like long strands of extravagant-looking pearls or large bejeweled hoop earrings. Add a big cocktail ring on one or more fingers and/or pop on a big, bold cuff bracelet. Choose jewelry that accents the outfit in a different way from how you normally wear the various pieces. Get creative and fanciful in your choices; maybe even buying one or two choice pieces to achieve just the right look.
Think about adding a great belt to change the look of the outfit even more. Go for something of the moment like a sexy corset belt, a multi-charm chain belt, or a scarf tied asymmetrically on the body. If you don’t want a belt, think about other accessories that could be added, such as a scarf around the neck or hips or throw a pashmina around the shoulders. Add a vest to add more shape to the top or top it off with a shrug. Try different accessories until you get a look that you like. The goal is make you feel like a million dollars.
Hair Change the way you normally wear your hair to accent the outfit you have put together. For example, if the clothing says Bohemian chic, wear your hair in loose waves or gentle curls. If the look is vintage inspired, consider wearing your hair up in a mass of soft curls or back in a delicate chignon. Include some hair jewelry if you want or clip a flower behind one ear. But don’t overdo the bling. Keep in mind that it is meant to accent, not to overpower. Make-up
Do something unusual with your make-up. Choose glimmering eye shadows or mix multiple colors together for a more dramatic look. Try some glittering body spray that also adds a delicate scent. Put on some false eyelashes so that your eyes stand out in a manner that says “come hither.” Play around with different colors and applications until you achieve the right party look for you.
Go for it! While all of us would love to purchase a new outfit for every event we attend, the truth is that most of us simply can’t afford to do that. That is when it becomes time to use our wild imaginations to create something new and exciting. All it takes is a bit of time and a willingness to experiment.
In the late 1980s plastic surgeons and the public were introduced to a new concept, filling in wrinkles with collagen. Collagen came from cows and was treated to make it inert so that it could be safely injected into humans.
It worked, but had several significant drawbacks. Since it was an animal protein, there was the risk of an immune response. Anyone who desired collagen injections was skin tested and waited weeks to make sure they didn’t react to the treated protein. In addition, collagen was expensive and only lasted up to several months. For many years this was all that was available to the plastic surgeon in the realm of fillers.
However in recent times several new fillers have come onto the market, and it can be difficult for patients to know which product is best for their needs. Here is a run down on the most popular fillers:
Hyaluronic acid based fillers (Restylane, Perlane, Juvaderm, Elevess) Calcium hydroxlyapatite fillers (Radiesse) Human and animal based collagen (Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Artefil) Others (Sculptra, Silicone)
Restylane
Restylane was introduced for use around the mouth after FDA approval in 2003. It was innovative in that it didn’t require a skin test for allergies like the old bovine collagen fillers. This hyaluronic acid gel is based on the same hyaluronic acid in the human body, thus reducing the risk of side effects. Youthful skin has lots of hyaluronic acid which helps plump up the skin, but we lose it as we age. Restylane helps restore that volume. It can be injected into the fine lines or deep folds of the face, as well as the lips. With over 1.4 million people who have already received this treatment, it is popular because there’s minimal down time and the results can be seen immediately. Although it has been proven clinically safe to use, those with severe allergies should avoid the use of Restylane. It normally lasts between six months to one year.
Perlane Perlane entered the market in May of 2007. Also a hyaluronic preparation, Perlane is similar to Restylane, but slightly thicker. It is intended for injection into the deeper layers of the skin. The FDA approved of its use for mild to moderate lines around the mouth. Although clinical studies of Perlane have shown no allergic reactions, it should not be used by anyone who has had previous severe allergies. Pregnant or nursing women should also avoid use of Perlane. It lasts approximately eight months to one year.
Juvaderm Juvaderm Ultra and Juvaderm Ultra Plus are also hyaluronic acid fillers that are FDA approved for cosmetic purposes. Ultra is used on very fine lines, while Ultra Plus, dense and thicker in consistency, is made for the deeper lines and folds of the face. The duration for both is about eight months to one year.
Elevess Elevess is a relative newcomer to the field of hyaluronic acid fillers, but it comes in a higher concentration, which adds to its durability. It also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic that improves patient comfort during injection. Elevess was created to be injected in the mid to deep layers of the skin, thereby alleviating the moderate to severe folds and lines, such as those around the nose and cheeks. Patients with severe allergies should not use Elevess.
Radiesse This water-based gel with suspended calcium particles is made of a chemical called hydroxylapatite, which is compatible with the bioidentical substance in our bodies. It does not require a skin test. Perfect for facial contouring and for plumping the deep folds of the skin, Radiesse will usually remain in place for ten to fourteen months. Because Radiesse is white in color, it cannot be used in the lips or for fine lines that require injections close to the skin surface. The white color would show through the skin layers.
Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast Made from purified human based collagen, these fillers are FDA approved and can be injected without a skin test. They come mixed with a local anesthetic, and therefore are less painful to inject. Both fillers are very pliable, which leaves a natural looking result. Cosmoderm works best on the fine lines around the eyes and the vertical lines above the lips. Cosmoplast, a more dense filler, works in the deeper lines of the face and the furrows between the eyes. Although Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast are less expensive than the other fillers, they don't last as long. The collagen is absorbed and wrinkles can return within three to six months.
Artefil Collagen is the main protein found in connective tissue, but Artefil comes from bovine collagen, which requires skin testing before it can be injected. The advantage to Artefil is that it contains microscopic spheres that develop a matrix for your own body’s collagen to grow on. Unlike the other fillers that are reabsorbed into the body, this filler is permanent. That’s both the good news and bad news. If you like your result, it’s permanent. If you don’t like your result, it’s still permanent. Artefil is also more expensive than the other fillers.
Sculptra Different than all the other fillers is Sculptra, made of poly-L-lactic acid. It was created not to fill in wrinkles, but to increase volume in hollow cheeks, sunken eyes and facial folds. Approved by the FDA for medical use, it is most often used in AIDS patients who lose facial contour due to loss of facial fat. This synthetic material lasts up to 2 years, but needs initial maintenance to get an outcome that is satisfactory.
Silicone The FDA does not condone Silicone injection for the treatment of facial lines and defects. There is a silicone preparation available to ophthalmologists to be used in the treatment of eye disease, but some doctors use this preparation for treatment of facial lines contrary to the recommendations of the FDA.
Verdict Facial fillers have been around for a relatively short period of time. Their biggest drawback right now is their temporary nature. I believe we will see many changes and enhancements in the future. I expect that in the next several years longer lasting, or even permanent fillers will be developed.
About the Author Dr. Corwin has been practicing Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Conejo Valley since 1977 and specializes in cosmetic surgery
We only get one chance at a first impression, and the person who projects the best self-image makes the best impression. In today's competitive society, people recognize the importance of self-improvement, whether it is for social or professional reasons. Exercise, skin care and nutrition are important but can only do so much. Real structural change requires more. In a sense, cosmetic surgery offers a second chance - the opportunity to defy both the calendar and genetics. Here I have compiled some of the most successful techniques used to achieve this goal.
