SUGAR IS NATURAL, WAX IS SYNHETIC

Organic is the way to go these days, and that’s where sugaring wins the day. The wax that is used for hair removal is synthetic, made of resins and often containing artifical fragrances, dyes, chemicals and preservatives. Sugar paste, on the other hand, is made only from sugar, water, lemon juice and sometimes essential oils. It is 100% natural and organic. Which would you rather have applied to your skin?

HYGIENE

Another advantage of sugaring is that it is safer and more hygienic than waxing. With waxing, the practitioner has to use applicators and dip into the wax pot multiple times in a treatment. With sugaring, you get your own ball of sugar paste for nearly the entire treatment area, as it can be used over and over again in the same area to remove even the tiniest hairs. There’s no dipping back into the pot like with waxing, and you’re assured of a healthful and sanitary treatment.

DISCOMFORT

Let’s face it; pulling hair from the root is going to hurt. However, one advantage of sugaring is that it is less painful than waxing. Sugar paste is water soluble and doesn’t stick to the skin like wax. Also, sugar past is warm, not hot, reducing the risk of burns and irritation to the skin.  And most importantly, sugar paste is applied in the opposite direction to the hair growth, but flicked off in the same direction as the natural growth of the hair. Waxing removes the hair agains the natural direction of growth, causing more pain. This advantage is especially important in sensitive areas of the body like the bikini area in women.

SKIN HEALTH

Sugar paste adheres only to the hair and the dead skin cells, unlike wax which can stick to the skin and require special wax removal oils or petroleum jelly. Sugar paste residue can be removed easily with just warm water!  Sugaring not only removes the hair but gives you a gentle exfoliation which can reduce ingrown hairs and leave your skin healthy, smooth and supple.

If you’d like to give sugaring a try, call us at Bella Luce Medispa at 714-846-5950 to schedule and appointment. We have new client specials for men and women and convenient scheduling. For more information, visit us at BELLALUCESPA.

Xeomin, like Dysport before it, has been used in Europe and other parts of the world for years before gaining FDA approval here in the United States. There is a distinct chemical difference between Xeomin and its rivals Botox and Dysport. Xeomin is being called the “naked toxin” as it is free of any complexing proteins, which practitioners feel may reduce the rate of antibody formation and loss of efficacy for some patients.

First, a word about complexing proteins and botulinum toxins. The active protein in all cosmetic botulinum toxin preparations is the toxin itself, which is made up of a “heavy chain” and a “light chain” complexed together and having a molecular weight of 150kD.  In nature, the toxin is protected by a coating of hemagglutinin and non-hemagglutinin proteins. This protein coat is thought to protect the active toxin inside from being degraded inside the human gastro-intestinal tract to allow for better absorption of the toxin. Remember, mother nature designed this toxin in such a way as to maximize its effect after ingestion!

One of the advantages of Xeomin not having these protein coatings is that it does not need to be refrigerated like Dysport and Botox after reconstitution. Each vial of Xeomin contains the toxin, 1 mg of human albumin and 4.7 mg. of the sugar sucrose.  It is thought that the lack of these complexing proteins in the Xeomin preparation will cause fewer people to develop antibodies to it and thereafter lose their response to it. Though this is a theoretical consideration, years of practical experience with other toxins has shown us that this effect rarely if ever actually occurs.  In fact, in my clinical experience with Botox, the duration of effect increases with repeated use over years.

Another advantage Xeomin has, especially with respect to Dysport, is that the units are dosed nearly identically to Botox, making the learning curve for Botox injectors much flatter and easier.  Also, Xeomin appears to have the same onset of action time as Botox, although only time will tell if it has the same duration and predictability as Botox.  That will require many years and many thousands of treated patients to become known.

Allergan, the makers of Botox Cosmetic are beginning a new promotion that marks the 10th anniversary of the FDA approval of Botox.  If you are a Brilliant Distinctions members you get a $50 instant rebate on your next $200 Botox treatment….but here’s the best part! You will automatically receive 2 more $50 instant rebates deposited into your account to use on your next 2 Botox treatments. At the same time, you’ll be earning points for these Botox treatments that you can combine with your rebates. Overall, you can save up to $200 over the course of 3 Botox treatments.

We’re also running a fantastic Latisse special in honor of Valentine’s Day. The more kits you buy, the more you save. One kit sells for $99, which is $21 of the regular retail price. The savings go up from there….2 kits can be purchased for $89 each, 3 kits for $79 each, and 4 kits for $69 each! The savings on four kits is almost equivalent to buying 2 kits and getting 2 kits free. We regret that we cannot ship Latisse because it is a prescription product, so it must be purchased in person. Because the supply of kits is limited for this special, we are limiting it to 4 kits per person.

We look forward to seeing you this Valentine’s Month. Don’t hesistate to call us at 714-846-5950 is you have questions or would like to book an appointment.

All specials expire 2/29/12 unless otherwise noted. Latisse and Juvederm specials may expire sooner without notice based on a limited supply. Latisse kit maximum purchase is 4 kits per person and must be purchase in person; no shipping allowed. Botox special requires membership in Brilliant Distinctions.

Dysport, (pronounced DISS-PORT) was approved for cosmetic use in the United States in May of 2009. It was the first head-to-head competitor to Botox to enter the cosmetic market in the United States since the approval of Botox for the treatment of glabellar lines in 2002. Dysport had been used for years in Europe before its approval here, marketed under the name “Reloxin”. Medicis, the company that acquired the rights to market Dysport in the United States, were required to change the products name to Dysport for U.S. distribution. Even after years of use in Europe, Dysport remained only about 10% of the cosmetic market there for neurotoxins.

Like Botox, Dysport is also a botulinum toxin, which achieves its cosmetic results by relaxing the muscles in the face that cause wrinkling. The source of botulinum toxin, the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, actually produces several “serotypes” of the toxin with slightly different molecular structures, and other toxins are currently in the pipeline for FDA approval for cosmetic uses. Xeomin, the most recent entry to gain FDA approval, is called the “naked” toxin because it does not have any binding proteins that accompany it. It’s thought that a fourth neurotoxin, called Purtox, will soon get FDA approval.

The neurotoxin complex in Botox is larger and more uniform in size distribution than that of Dysport, and for this reason the products have to be dosed differently. Initially, it was thought that for every 1 unit of Botox used one needed 2.5 units of Dysport. This conversion led to the recommended 50 units to be used in the glabellar area, where 20 units is the typically recommended Botox dose. It was also this conversion ratio that we all thought would result in Dysport being a less expensive alternative to Botox. However, once Dysport became widely used in the clinical arena, it became obvious that the conversion ration needed to be 3 units of Dysport per unit of Botox for similar efficacy.

As far as treatment results go, it appears that needing 3 times the number of units of Dysport has really erased any price advantage over Botox. Also, although it appears that the onset of action of Dysport may be slightly faster than that of Botox, many patients feel the results do not last as long. Then there’s the issue of side effects. It has been noted that because of the molecular structure difference, Dysport can spread further from the site of injection than Botox does, which results in a slightly higher percentage of lid droop and other side effects with Dysport in clinical studies.

If you have further questions about Botox or Dysport, don’t hesitate to call us at Bella Luce Medispa at 714-846-5950. Starting tomorrow, February 1, we’ll be introducing the new Botox Brilliant Distinctions Rebate program, which gives you $50 instant savings on your next three consecutive Botox treatments.

In terms of their similarities, both Juvederm and Restylane are gels made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is ubiquitous in nature and occurs naturally and abundantly in the human body, mainly in skin and connective tissues. It is basically a large carbohydrate polymer with a huge molecular weight, and it can hold nearly 3000 times its weight in water. It’s this water-retentive effect that allows hyaluronic acid to give volume and fullness to the skin. We all lose hyaluronic acid gradually in our skin as we age, and the resultant loss of water-holding capacity makes for lines and wrinkles, along with the loss of collagen, elastin and sun damage. This is why Juvederm and Restylane are ideal substances for filling facial lines and wrinkles and restoring volume to the aging face.

Other similarities between Juvederm and Restylane are in the way they are made and how they are used. Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid filler approved by the FDA in the United States in 2003. Juvederm followed with FDA approval in 2006. Both fillers are made of synthetic, purified hyaluronic acid, thereby removing most of the risk of allergic complications that accompanied older fillers like collagen, which comes from an animal source. Both fillers can also be used in nearly any area of the face for cosmetic correction, including in the lips, and both fillers have a thinner gel (Juvederm Ultra and Restylane) and a thicker form for more intense volumization (Juvederm Ultra Plus and Perlane).

The key difference between Juvederm and Restylane is in the duration of the filler and the consistency. If you compare results of the two fillers after just one injection, Juvederm typically lasts from 9-12 months, whereas Restylane only lasts about 6 months. This is a distinct advantage for the patient and makes the product more cost-effective over time.

As far as consistency goes, Juvederm is a much smoother filler than Restylane. Allergan, the company that makes Juvederm, has patented the technology it uses to produce the smooth consistency of Juvederm, calling is Hylacross® technology. This technology produces a smooth gel instead of a granular one like Restylane. This smoothness is especially important when filling finer lines or doing lip augmentation. The smoothness and ease of injection of Juvederm is also better for the injector in terms of placing the product accurately and in producing superior cosmetic outcomes.

Dr. Lawton has been practicing aesthetic medicine since 2004, starting out at the Skin Rejuvenation and Laser Medical Center in Marina del Rey before coming to Orange County in 2006 and starting his own aesthetic medicine practice at Bella Luce Medispa in Huntington Beach. Dr. Lawton’s cosmetic injectable practice has grown in the ensuing 6 years from an Allergan Gold provider in 2006 to a Platinum Provider in 2011 and now a Platinum-Plus provider for 2012. Since Dr. Lawton is a solo practitioner, his Platinum-Plus status makes him one of the busiest injectors in all of Orange County. And he consistently earns some of the highest client retention rates from Allergan, meaning his clients return year after year because of the quality of the experience.

Dr. Lawton earned his Board Certification in Internal Medicine in 1990, following his internship and residency at the University of Chicago. He has recertified in Internal Medicine twice since then, in 2001 and 2011. Beginning in early 2004, Dr. Lawton received extensive formal training in the use of cosmetic injectables such as Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Collagen, Restylane, Radiesse and Juvederm, as well as 800nm Diode, Pulsed Dye, Smoothbean, NdYag and Erbium lasers. After starting his own aesthetic medicine practice at Bella Luce Medispa, Dr. Lawton has dedicated his time solely to the art and science of injectables. His particular areas of interest and expertise include lip augmentation, cheek augmentation, and full face rejuvenation using the novel injection technique known as the Injectable Thread Lift.

Dr. Lawton offers free consultations on the cosmetic procedures that he offers, and he can answer all of your questions and concerns in a pressure-free environment. Looking your best through the years with the help of Botox and Dermal fillers requires attention to the client’s changing needs and desires, and Dr. Lawton prides himself on building the kind of doctor-patient relationship that fosters excellent cosmetic results.

Visit Dr. Lawton’s website at www.bellalucespa.com or call 714-846-5950 to schedule a free consultation.

As I’ve stated in previous blogs, one of the best ways to start your search is with the Botox website, which is www.botoxcosmetic.com. The website has a “find a doctor” feature that helps you locate a doctor that is geographically convenient for you. Be sure to check multiple nearby zip codes to widen your search, as some zip codes have only a few injectors while nearby zip codes might have significantly more.  The site also gives you some biographical information on the physician who is injecting, so you can check out his or her education and credentials.

Another important thing to keep in mind is the experience of the physician. Allergan is the sole distributor of “real” Botox, and physicians who buy their Botox from Allergan are awarded different status levels based on the volume of product that they buy and use. The lowest volume level is Silver, and from there they go up to Gold, Platinum, Platinum-Plus, Diamond and finally the highest, or Black Diamond. It’s likely that if you choose a physician in a small practice who has a Platinum or higher status, you are probably ensured that he or she is skilled and experienced, and you are getting “real” Botox. Platinum status is always a good place to start, as it is awarded to physicians who are deemed top users of Botox Cosmetic in the United States.

Keep in mind that volume alone does not always equate with the quality of the injector. After you’ve researched and found a high-status injector, it’s important to ask a few more questions when you call to book your appointment. Ask how many Botox injectors there are at the clinic and more specifically, will the Doctor be doing your injection himself, and not a nurse or physician assistant. Many high status clinics earn their status by employing a large number of non-physician injectors and thereby doing a large volume of Botox, and you may end up being treated by a relatively inexperienced injector.

Another important thing to remember about a high volume injector is that you’re more likely to get “fresh” Botox. Remember that Botox is delivered to Doctor’s offices in a vial, and the product is a “freeze-dried” protein. In order to be injected, it has to be reconstituted with a sterile saline solution. Once it is reconstituted, it has a limited shelf life even in the refrigerator. A high volume injector is likely reconstituting and going through multiple Botox vials a day, and the product you are getting injected with is likely as fresh as it can be.

Lastly, ask if your provider provides free consultations, and when you are face to face with the Doctor, evaluate how comfortable you are that he or she has spent time answering your questions and concerns and has your cosmetic goals in mind when performing your Botox treatment.

Acne is one of the most commonly occurring skin conditions.  The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that nearly 100% of teenagers have at least an occasional acne breakout.  More concerning is the estimated 40% of teenagers that seek the attention of a physician for acne treatment. In its most severe form, cystic acne, the scars that it leaves on the face can affect an individual for a lifetime. The exact cause of acne is not known, but it is thought to result from a combination of factors including excess oil or sebum production and ineffective exfoliation resulting in pore clogging, bacterial overgrowth and inflammation.

Now here’s where Botox comes into the picture. Dating back to 2008, physicians who inject Botox noticed that some of their patients were reporting a decrease in acne breakouts. In an article in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in September of 2008, Chicago plastic surgeon Anil Shah MD published the results of a small uncontrolled study he performed with 20 patients using Botox injected into the facial skin to control acne and reduce pore size.

In that study, Dr. Shah injected Botox very superficially into the dermis of the study participants. One month after a single injection session, 17 out of the 20 patients reported a decrease in oil production and a decrease in the size of their facial pores in the area of the injections. No complications were reported.

Dr. Shah postulated that the Botox works to block acetylcholine release at the nerve receptors in the sebaceous glands of the dermis, thereby reducing their production of oil and sebum. In addition to that, Dr. Shah postulated that the superficial dermal location of the Botox injections also paralyzed the tiny “erector pili” muscles, which are the little muscle that surround the skin’s pores and cause them to expand.

Of course, the results of this trial need to be taken with some caution. Larger, placebo-controlled trials need to be done to confirm the safety and efficacy of Botox for an acne and pore size indication.  It’s also important to keep in mind that the technical expertise of the Botox injector can’t be underestimated in this situation, as Botox injections done at the improper depth or location can result in facial muscle paralysis and unwanted cosmetic side effects.  Lastly, there already exist many treatments for acne that are much less expensive and already proven to be safe and effective.

For now, the use of Botox for acne and pore size warrants further study and caution, but it is an exciting area of promise for the wrinkle treatment we all know and love.

Fast forward to about 2010, when a small, privately held biotechnology company named Revance announced the results of a Phase II clinical trial of an investigational drug it calls RT001. This drug is actually a topical gel formulation of the botulinum toxin present in injectable Botox. In this study, Revance showed that its topical botulinum toxin gel was superior to placebo gel in reducing the crow’s feet wrinkles in study participants. Imagine, a gel you can apply to the skin around your eyes that will significantly improve your crow’s feet!

RT001 is a gel formulation that contains botulinum type A toxin and a novel peptide developed by Revance. This proprietary peptide enables the “transcutaneous” delivery of the botulinum toxin, meaning it can help the toxin penetrate the skin to get to the muscle, which is where the toxin works to produce the desired cosmetic effect.  In the study, the gel was applied to the skin of the crow’s feet area, covered with a dressing and left on for 30 minutes. Then, the gel was removed, and the study participants repeated this procedure at 4 weeks after the initial application. Four weeks after the second application, the study authors reported that over 94% of the study investigators rated the improvement in crow’s feet lines as greater than a 1-point improvement over baseline, based on a 5 point crow’s feet severity scale. Also of note is that no serious side effects were seen in the trial.

The obvious next question is how does this compare to injectable Botox. Those studies have yet to be done, and even Phase III trials will still need to be done on RT001 before it can be approved by the FDA.  Also, the muscle around the eye that gives rise to crow’s feet is just under the skin in that area, making a topical formulation easier to use.  RT001 may have limited effect when applied to other wrinkle areas like the frown because of the limitation of penetrating deeply enough into these muscles. However, the appeal of a topical botox gel is obvious for those people who are afraid of needles and those who cannot or won’t risk the bleeding and bruising that may occur in such a sensitive area as the crow’s feet.

Another potential area of application for a topical botulinum toxin would be for excessive under-arm sweating. Botox works very well in this area, but many patients are afraid of the multiple injections under the arm that are required. If a topical botulinum toxin gel could be shown to significantly reduce axillary sweating like injectable Botox does, the ease of use and the increased comfort for the patient would be a major selling point.

Stay tuned for further developments in this exciting area of aesthetic medicine.

Dr. Lawton is proud to now provide sugaring hair removal services at his medical spa in Huntington Beach.  Sugaring is a safe, all-natural, mild and effective method of hair removal.  It is similar to waxing but much gentler to the skin and more sanitary.  Instead of wax, the esthetician uses a soft sugar paste is made from all natural ingredients, including real sugar and lemon juice, and it is free of any chemicals, additives or preservatives.

Unlike wax, the sugar paste is at or near body temperature, so there is no concern about heat sensitivity or burning the skin. After the sugar paste is applied to the desired area, it is then “flicked” off in the direction of the hair growth. This lessens the chance of irritation and breakage of the hair shaft and reduces the likelihood for ingrown hairs after treatment. The same “ball” of sugar paste can be reapplied over and over to the desired area to capture even the finest of hairs without breakage. If you get regular sugaring treatments, hair re-growth will be finer and sparser.

Sugaring is an ideal method for hair removal for both men and women, and virtually any area of the body can be “sugared”.  Our introductory specials include any type of bikini sugaring for women for only $45, including playboy and brazilian.  And for men, full chest or full back sugaring is only $45.

Dr. Lawton is also now offering a full menu of spa and medical facials, crystal and diamond-tip microdermabrasion, Vivite glycolic facials, Epicuren signature facials, Acne treatment facials, Oxygen facials and  a Gentleman’s facial as well.  Our introductory facial special is a free upgrade with any $60 customized facial.  For your upgrade, you can choose microdermabrasion, oxygen or a Vivite glycolic peel for free.