Fractional Laser and Aged Skin

Today, the availability of fractional lasers has been a major boost towards the treatment of photo aged skin. Several lasers have been developed in the last decade which are now showing great promise in reversing many skin disorders.


Unlike the previous lasers, fractional lasers have one common theme. They are selective in their effects and cause very little harm or damage to the surrounding normal skin. Even though there are several fractional lasers available, they all essentially perform in a similar manner and produce excellent results.


Lasers which penetrate the skin less are usually less painfully compared to lasers which penetrate deeper into the skin. However, deeper penetrating lasers also have a longer lasting cosmetic effect.


None of the fractional lasers have a permanent effect. All can cause temporary reversal of the fine lines and wrinkles.


Fractional lasers can be used to treat the following skin conditions:

- reversal of fine lines and wrinkles
- remove pigmented or skin discolorations
- reduce melasma (skin changes seen during pregnancy)
- reduce pore size
- reduce or improve the texture of scars
- smoothen out traumatic scars
- reduce signs of photo aging

All fractional lasers work in a similar way. The lasers generate a beam of energy which penetrates the deeper layers of the skin. The heat produced results in destruction of old pigmented cells and stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastic. The collagen then adds to tissue support, fills up hollowed spaces and retains moisture. The end result is a skin which appears smooth, fresh and much younger looking.

The currently available fractional laser devices include

- Fraxel®,
- ActiveFXTM
- Lux 1540TM
- AffirmTM,
- ProFractionalTM

Most individuals need 4-6 sessions to get the optimal cosmetic benefit. Individuals who have deeper scars and wrinkles may need a few more sessions. The fractional lasers have minimal downtime and the side effects are mild. The most common side effects after the fractional laser treatment for aged skin include

- mild redness
- swelling
- bruising

These side effects are transient and usually disappear within 2-4 days. One can conceal the skin side effects with mascara or make up.


Because there are many people who perform fractional laser skin resurfacing to reverse the signs of aging, it is essential to choose your therapist well. The lure of money has numerous non health care professionals performing laser treatments all over the country. While complications are rare, they do occur and may be irreversible. So in the end, buyer beware. Before you go and get the signs of nature reversed it is important to read about the procedure, know what you want and have an estimate of what your budget is. Looking young does not come cheap- especially when it comes to lasers.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots

Age spots, or liver or sun spots, are small, brown flecks on the skin – often on the hands, arms and face. They are caused by both aging and exposing the skin to sunlight. Age spots are harmless and known medically as senile lentigines. There are many different types of treatment methods available today to lessen, prevent or eliminate age spots. Here are some of the most common options:



Laser Treatments – Laser treatments are often considered the most effective treatment to reduce or eliminate age spots, but they can also be the most expensive. There are different kinds of laser treatments. Some work to get rid of age spots from the first layers of skin, while others reduce pigment in sun spots, birthmarks and freckles. Not all types of laser treatments work on all types of dark spots. Some laser procedures may produce bruising that may last about a week.


Microdermabrasion Treatments – Microdermabrasion is a medical procedure that basically takes off the surface layers of skin to remove age spots. Some microdermabrasion techniques use high speed blasts of crystals to remove superficial skin layers, while other machines are gentler. A suction device or vacuum type of tool is used to remove the dead skin cells. The microdermabrasion method is said to encourage the growth of new skin cells.


Bleaching Products – Bleaching products work to fade age spots by breaking down the pigment, or melanin. It usually takes a few months of regularly using the bleaching product to notice a difference in the reduction of spots. Sometimes, these products may leave white areas on the skin.


Bleaching products containing hydroquinone may leave dark spots on darker skin and are recommended for use on very light skin only. Products made with kojic acid, a natural substance found in foods such as mushrooms, are more versatile and may actually prevent age spots by stopping melanin production.


Chemical Peels – Chemical peels remove superficial or shallow layers of skin to get rid of age spots. The amount of skin layers removed depends on how dark the pigment is and light, medium and deep chemical peels are available. Doctors perform chemical peeling procedures and there are also some over-the-counter chemical peels on the market. Alpha hydroxy acid often is only effective to remove age spots on very light skin colors.


Retinin A Treatments – Retinin A, or tretinoin, is usually applied to the age spots daily for six months. Many people notice a difference after a month of regular use. Some Retinin A treatments are combined with bleaching techniques. Retinin A may dry the skin and this may lead to an increased amount of age spots unless moisturizing products and sunscreen are also used. Studies of Retinin A suggest it reverses aging and promotes better-looking skin.

Image courtesy of Oprah.com

The Magic of Copper Peptides as Anti Aging Agents

In the last decade, there has been a trend of adding copper peptides to many cosmetic creams to reverse aging. The manufacturers who add copper peptides to these creams also charge exorbitant amounts for the postulated anti – aging benefits. But does copper really work as an anti-aging cream?


Copper is a heavy metal and a decent anti oxidant. In experimental studies it has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis and also has the ability to heal wounds. Copper is an essential element for collagen to form properly. A few clinical studies have shown that application of copper peptides can increase collagen synthesis. This was proven by performing biopsies of the skin. Copper was much more efficient than either vitamin C or Tretinoin at reversing wrinkles and lines on the face and neck.


Currently copper peptide formulations have been shown to erase fine lines, increase the tone of the skin by stimulating elastin synthesis and reduce skin sagging. Copper is also a potent anti oxidant and has been shown to protect the skin from many environmental conditions including extremes of cold and heat. Copper peptides have also been shown to retain water, thus maintaining the skin hydrated.



The daily recommended allowance of copper is about 2 mg per day. For the majority of individuals this is adequate and easily obtained from the diet. However, free copper does not easily get to the skin. Simply buying copper and applying a solution does not guarantee access to the deeper layers. The copper has to be specially formulated with peptides to ensure that it will penetrate the skin and reach the lower layers where it can stimulate the synthesis of collagen.


Today there are many types of copper peptide formulations for the improvement of skin. For those who want to treat the wrinkles and fine lines, Copper based products are available all over cyberspace. It is important to read the labels to ensure that copper peptides are present if you want a cream which as anti aging properties.


The prices of copper peptide based formulation are also expensive.


Finally, aging is a complex issue and there is no one mineral or element which can turn back time. While copper peptides may not be the ultimate panacea for aging, the creams will certainly bring back some youth and beauty

Atkins Diet- Low Carbohydrates and High Protein

The Atkins diet has been around for more than 30 years. Even though it has been associated with a lot of controversies, it still remains a very popular diet. The Atkins diet plan is thought to be followed by millions of people globally. The diet is essential low in carbohydrates and divided in to four phases.


Dr Atkins believed that eating too many carbohydrates is the reason for getting fat. Our body does burn fats carbohydrates and proteins, but the carbohydrates are always used up first. By reducing the intake of carbohydrates, the body is then forced to burn off the protein and fat stores.


By reducing carbohydrate content in the diet, the body breaks fats into ketones which are used for energy. The accumulation of ketones in the body also leads to appetite suppression. One also develops a distinct ketotic breath and constipation. With time all the fat from the body starts to disappear.



The Atkins diet has four phases.

In phase 1, the induction phase which last 2 weeks, one eats a very restricted diet which is low in carbohydrates. The weight loss is quite fast.


In the 2nd phase, some foods can be eaten and the weight loss is gradual.


In the 3rd phase, the pre maintenance phase, one eats just enough carbohydrates to allow the body to get used to this diet. Also some other foods can be eaten to maintain health.


In the 4th phase, the diet is moderated to maintain your target weight. This is the diet for the rest of life.


In the first stage, one can only eat about 20 g of carbohydrates a day. Later the carbohydrates are increased but only slightly. You can forget about eating sugars, rice, bread, pizza, hamburgers, pudding, desserts, potatoes, pasta or anything made from flour.


A typical Atkins diet is as follows:

Breakfast

1st phase - beverage, bacon, ham
2nd phase- egg, crisp bread, beverage, tomato juice
3rd phase- egg, fruit, thin bread, beverage
4th phase- egg, fruit, thin bread, beverage

Lunch

1st phase- bacon, cheese without bread, salad, water
2nd phase- salad, beverage
3rd phase- potato, beverage
4th phase- chicken salad, beverage

Dinner

1st phase- red meat, fish, poultry, dessert with no flour
2nd phase- salad, sea food, some vegetables, dessert
3rd phase- salad, vegetable, fruits
4th phase- shrimps, salad, meat/fish/poultry, potato, vegetable, beverage


The Atkins diet severely limits carbohydrate consumption and has rigid guidelines. Dieters are encouraged to maintain a low carbohydrate intake until they reach their target weight. Dr Atkins says to prevent weight gain; individuals should take in no more than 60g of carbohydrates day for the rest of life.


One should note that the recommended daily intake of carbohydrates for healthy individuals is 300 g a day. However, despite what Dr Atkins says, there is evidence that high protein diets can lead to osteoporosis, heart disease, lack of vitamins and mineral deficiencies. There is no doubt that the Atkins diet does reduce weight in the early period but the long term results are questionable.


All individuals who want to try the Atkins diet should also include exercise into their program.

Antiaging Wrinkle Creams: Fact or Fiction

Were you looking to buy an antiaging wrinkle cream? Everywhere on cyberspace there are people selling antiaging creams, lotions, potions and herbs to fight off aging. Almost every type of substance underneath the sun has been promoted to reverse the signs of aging. From the Great Wall of China to the Dead Sea- water, mud, soil, urine, eating polar bear's gall bladder, sea weed from California, eating sushi from Japan and so on .—all have at one point been claimed to get rid of your wrinkles and fine lines. The big question is do they work and has anyone ever become young again?


For the most part, the majority of ingredients in cosmetic creams have never been analyzed. There is no scientific proof that any ingredient can reverse aging. Face lift does not come in jar of jojoba oil, nor does it come as a liquid in bottle of avocado oil.


While some antiaging creams are relatively cheap, many are exorbitantly expensive. And the more fancy the bottle, the more costly it is. If you want to look better you may want to try an antiaging wrinkle cream . Also, there are some ingredients which may temporarily make you look younger.


For those who still would like to know more about anti-aging and creams, read on.



If you are interested in a younger looking skin, look for the following ingredients in the cosmetic product:


Vitamin A or Retinoids. There is a lot of evidence that vitamin A related products are strong anti oxidants and can lessen or reduce fine lines on the face. Retinoic acid is approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne and other skin related conditions. Retinoid acid is only available with a prescription and is not recommended for females who intend to get pregnant or are breast feeding. Because of its serious side effects on the fetus, most physicians are reluctant to prescribe Retinoic acid to this gender.


Peeling acids: There are several acids which are decent peeling agents. They all work in a similar manner and remove the superficial layers of the skin. The cleansing action stimulates growth of new skin which appears fresh, smoother and younger looking. The classic peeling acids include hydroxyl acid, phenol and trichloroacetic acid. Today, there are many other naturally acids extracted from fruits and plants.


Copper peptides have recently been shown to heal wounds and reduce the scarring. Copper peptides are now being added to various skin formulas and been claimed to reverse some signs of aging. There is some evidence that copper peptides may reduce fine lines.


Tea Extracts: There is a lot of literature that extracts of tea can help rejuvenate the skin. There are many ingredients in tea like phytonutrients and flavonoids that have potent anti oxidant activity. However, not everyone responds to tea extracts in a similar way.


The quest to reverse nature has never been so strong. Everyone wants to look young and pretty. While we have a lot of novel products on the market, the majority of antiaging creams should be viewed with caution. Good luck with your antiaging wrinkle cream.

Growth Hormone –Does it Reverse Your Age?

During the last 20 years, there has been a lot of hype in the media about human growth hormone (HGH) and its anti aging properties. There are people who pay thousands of dollars to find the fountain of youth- but can growth hormone actually reverse aging?

Growth hormone is produced by a small gland (the pituitary gland) in the brain and is released into the body in small amounts. The maximal secretion of growth hormone occurs during childhood and is carefully regulated . Growth hormone is a potent anabolic hormone and is important for the growth of bone, muscle and tissues. By the time most individuals reach their 40s, the amount of growth hormone starts to decline.


There are many people, especially in the medical profession, who believe that the decline of growth hormone at this time period is responsible for aging. Wrinkles, fines lines and saggy skin have all been attributed to the decline of growth hormone. Such claims have inundated the internet creating a frenzy among people wanting to reverse aging. This has resulted in a growth in the marketing of growth hormone. It appears no one wants to get old and many people are seeking growth hormone injections. However, the evidence that growth hormone is the fountain of youth is non-conclusive or non existent. Only anecdotal reports exist- and these come mainly the manufacturers of HGH who have a vested interest in the hormone.

In clinical medicine, Human Growth Hormone is only available with a physician’s prescription and is administered intramuscularly as an injection. Growth hormone is often prescribed for people with documented growth hormone deficiency and is never prescribed to reverse aging. Growth hormone deficiency is most often seen when the pituitary gland is destroyed by brain tumors, surgery or radiation therapy. Individuals who often receive GH injections are those with short stature with a variety of medical conditions.

Human Growth Hormone injections are known to increase bone density, muscle mass and improve physical endurance. There are many individuals who have received growth hormone over a period of many years and yet all of them have aged; there is no scientific evidence where an individual receiving growth hormone had not aged. While it is accepted to administer HGH to individuals who have HGH deficiency, HGH is almost never prescribed to healthy individuals because it has potentially strong side effects.

As far as its anti aging abilities, there are none. Today there are many websites which also sell growth hormone as a pill that is said to produce the same effects as the injection. These growth hormone releasers are heavily marketed all over the internet. In all likelihood, the pill is broken down in the stomach and the protein is digested by the acids.

As far as we know, there is no conclusive evidence that HGH (Human Growth Hormone) has any anti aging abilities.. For individuals who want to remain young, the only treatment is to exercise, eat a healthy diet and leave the rest up to Time.