It is finally possible to achieve professional-like results when using at-home skin care and hair removal products. The best results are experienced when consumers employ novel technologies similar to what dermatologists and plastic surgeons utilize in the office.

Professional quality technologies are now available for all consumers. The major areas where these are used revolve around hair removal, treatment of acne and rejuvenation of aging skin.

There are three main hair removal devices include:

• No!No! – employs a patented thermal heating element called Thermicon. This technology slows down the actively growing cells of the hair follicle
• The Silk’n™- a broad-spectrum light source similar to an IPL (intense pulsed light)
• Tria – diode laser technology

All three employ lower energies than those available in the doctor’s office. Many are FDA-approved and when used for longer periods of time (up to eight -12 weeks) have produced in clinically proven studies, up to 50-60 percent long-term hair removal. Results are almost comparable to what dermatologists are able to achieve in office settings, using higher power, more expensive technologies. The safety and efficacy of these at-home technologies has been proven in many scientific studies through published literature.

For at home acne treatment, there are the Zeno™ and ThermaClear®, which employ heat elements. Under development is the No!No! skin device, which uses a broad-spectrum light heat pulsing technology similar and comparable to what is used in the dermatologist’s office. These three at-home acne treatments help reduce acne forming bacteria, decrease inflammation on the skin and temporarily shrink sebaceous glands.

Ongoing FDA and published studies show similar efficacy with at-home acne treatments as to what can be achieved in the office setting, utilizing topical acne antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, retinoic acid derivative as well in some cases as oral antibiotics.

Anti-aging rejuvenation technologies are also in the exploration stage. Studies are on going using red light LED sources.

There are three exciting ways for consumers to safely treat themselves at home with technologies that deliver near comparable professional results for hair removal, acne treatment and photorejuvenation. The key difference is that at home technology requires longer treatment time intervals.

Questions always arise as to what is the newest and greatest filler and whether it is possible with these new fillers to erase the lines of time.  Evolence is a new porcine or pig-based collagen that has been recently released by the Food and Drug Administration.  It has been researched initially in Europe and Israel and is now available throughout the world, including the United States. 

            It is derived from a pig or porcine source, which is felt to have very, very low allergic potential and is new and exciting because it has unique characteristics that separate it from other fillers available on the market.  Studies in the United States show that it has comparable longevity to the hyaluronic acid derivatives such as Restylane and Juvederm lasting six months.  However, studies in Europe have suggested that this filler may have longevity up to 12 months.   The reason this product lasts somewhat longer than the hyaluronic acid derivatives is felt to be secondary to its unique way of linking the strands of the collagen molecule together.  It has a very unique patented technology called Glycomatrix™, which is responsible for the unique structural characteristics and longevity noted with this new and unique filler.    It also has excellent flow characteristics, which again give it a very smooth and natural appearance and also gives the face excellent structural integrity.

            The question comes up as to who is the best candidate to use this unique filler.  Anyone with deep folds on the face, along the cheek folds or along the marionette lines or for fine lines on the upper or lower lip or for localized volume replacement on the face, would be appropriate candidates for using this new and unique filler product.

            Its safety has been shown to be remarkable in multiple studies and requires no skin testing.  A second generation filler called Evolence Breeze is now under investigation, which can be used for shaping and molding the lip naturally.  We have yet another exciting new filler with unique characteristics.  Evolence is truly the rebirth of the collagen molecule.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com

It has been said that water can remove toxicities from your body, relieve headaches and keep your skin glowing.

But, will drinking eight glasses of water each day each day really improve your health?

Not really, according to a study done at the University of Pennsylvannia; it is being reported by BBC News.

Authors Dr. Dan Negoianu and Dr. Stanley Goldfarb said in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology they found little evidence that drinking that much water improves an individual’s health.