Let Your Lips Do The Talking: Everything You Need to Know About Beautifying Your Pout

A person’s lips can say a lot about their age, health and character, and are an essential focal point on the face. It’s no wonder that lip cosmetics are such an important part of the beauty industry. 

New Research Discovers Skin Boosting Effects of Botox

Botox, or onabutulinum toxin A is something most people will have heard of by now. Even if you've never tried the anti-wrinkle injection that is the No. 1 aesthetic treatment worldwide, you probably do know it by reputation. 

The latest research has shown that Botox treatments have some surprising side effects. 

Doctors in Canada show that Botox has skin pliability and elasticity effects

Are Razors The Next Beauty Secret?

There is a weird trend being touted on the Internet, and it says that women should start shaving their faces.

Many women swear by facial shaving as the answer to their anti-aging woes

Many women swear by it, and some have been doing it for years. Reality TV star Caroline Manzo of The Real Housewives of New Jersey was even filmed doing it on the show. "Let me make something clear and hopefully answer your questions once and for all: I shave my face as a method of exfoliating my skin." Manzo says. "I don’t shave because I have a hairy face! I’ve been practicing this for over 10 years, and I haven’t grown any facial hair because of it, and I have beautiful skin with minimal wrinkles. I think this should clarify any questions.”

7 Facts You Need To Know About Adult Acne

As an aesthetic doctor, I meet many patients with adult acne, and they are often very perplexed and troubled by it.

"I'm 35!" One woman tells me. "I haven't had acne for 15 years!"

One gentleman has lived with acne that has covered his cheeks and chin since he was 13.

Another woman wants to know how she can prevent the recurring acne that appears on her face every month just before her period. As a person who has many social engagements, having pimples greatly affects her self-confidence.

Which Facial Treatments Really Work? Part 2 - The Best From The Rest

This post is part two of my two-part post on facial treatments that really work. Read part one here, to read more about the supposed and actual benefits of treatments such as gold, diamond, snail mucus, bee venom and caviar.


This post at beautyeditor.ca discusses why spa facial treatments are not really good for your skin. This New York Times article also explains why dermatologists don't recommend facials for optimal skin health and beauty. This article quotes Professor of Dermatology, Doris Day, MD about spa facials: "I call it 'spa science' because there isn't a lot of science behind many of the claims." She further adds,"Think of a facial as a treat rather than a medical treatment." Good at-home daily facial care can preclude the need for costly facial treatments. 

Just the Facts - About Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal facts you need to know! 

Getting a tattoo has become a milestone or rite-of-passage for many, and some people view tattooing as a way of defining themselves, their emotions or beliefs. Whatever your reason for getting a tattoo, always remember to go to a reputable tattoo parlour, ensure they take all the necessary sanitary precautions and that you know what you are getting into. 

These are just a few of the examples of regrettable tattoos; hilarious Chinese words, poor drawn art and misspellings:

    

What You Need To Know About Laser Tattoo Removal:

1. About 1 in 3 people eventually regret getting their tattoos.

Whether a tattoo was a result of a drunken dare or as a method of emotional catharsis, most people tend to later regret them as they move on in life. An ill-planned tattoo could be a painful reminder of a misspent youth, or an embarrassing feature that you have to hide at work or in public. A poorly conceived tattoo could be expensive, painful and unsightly, and tattoo removal is not exactly cheap or pain-free, and in many cases, may not be able to be completely removed.      

2. Tattoo Removal Creams and Ointments Do Not Work

Tattoos are embedded in the deeper layers of the skin in order to make them permanent, so tattoo removal creams and ointments cannot reach them in order to effect their removal. The only way a cream can remove a tattoo is if it damages the skin above them as well. Any chemical treatment that claims to treat tattoos can only do so by injuring the skin and potentially causing dangerous side effects. Laser tattoo removal is the best known method to erase unwanted tattoos. 

3. How Laser Tattoo Removal Works

Prior to laser tattoo removal procedures coming into use in the 1980s, the only options for tattoo removal was by one of three methods, ie. dermabrasion - where skin was 'sanded' to remove top layers of skin; excision - where skin is removed by scalpel, sometimes necessitating a skin graft; or by freezing the area then excising it. 

Laser tattoo removal offered a targeted method of removing tattoos that was a lot more comfortable and usually caused no more than erythema (skin redness) and transient swelling. The laser removal system also offers a bloodless, low-risk procedure done on an outpatient basis. The type of laser used in tattoo removal systems are called Q-switched lasers, which employ a short, high-energy pulse of laser that target the wavelengths of tattoo colors. The pigments in tattoo ink absorb the energy pulses, causing them to fragment into small particles that can then be disposed of through the body's waste systems. At the proper energy setting, the laser does not harm the surrounding skin structures, although the heat from the laser pulse can cause some discomfort. 
Depending on various factors (see below) such as size and color of the tattoo, it can take multiple sessions and often up to a year (with sessions 3-4 weeks apart) to completely remove a tattoo, although many tattoos cannot be fully erased, only lightened.

4. Factors that affect laser tattoo removal results

Although laser tattoo removal science is improving rapidly, effectiveness of a tattoo removal procedure depends greatly on a number of factors including: 

• the size of the tattoo - if the tattoo is very large, it may have to be treated in stages to prevent too much energy being absorbed by the skin in one session.
• the colour of the tattoo - each tattoo color has to be targeted at a specific color wavelength, with darker colors being easiest to remove.
• the location of the tattoo - if the tattoo is located in an especially sensitive area, energy levels may have to be reduced to prevent burns or due to discomfort. Lower energy levels mean less of the tattoo ink can be destroyed per session.
• the colour of the individual's skin - the darker the skin of the patient, the less the laser pulse energy that can be applied; the greater amounts of laser energy that darker skin tones absorb can cause skin damage.  
• the individual's ability to heal - some patients heal slower from the treatment and this would affect the protocol and timing of the subsequent procedures.
• the tattoo application method - the method of application of a tattoo can affect its placement within the skin, which in turn affects how well the ink absorbs the laser energy.
• the type of ink used - the types of inks used in tattoos vary greatly, and not all are able to absorb tattoo removal lasers easily. Some newer inks are specially designed to be easily targeted by the lasers.
• the skill of the tattoo artist - a more experienced tattoo artist would be able to inject the tattoo ink at roughly the same depth in the skin, thus the laser would be able to be calibrated to target most of it at once 
• how old the tattoo is - the older the tattoo, the more ingrained it becomes in the skin, and as a result, older tattoos are very difficult to be removed. 

Bryon Widner was a reformed Nazi supremacist desperate to put his past behind him. His tattoos were inciting fear and hate in the people around him, and he no longer wanted to be identified with the racism and violence of his youth. After 25 tattoo removal sessions, Widner is a new man.

--- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. 
To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page, visit Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's website at http://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy - The Secret To Youthful, Beautiful Skin Lies Within

Platelet-Rich Plasma - healing the skin with the body's natural powers of rejuvenation 

I have always considered one of the top functions of cosmetic medicine being the harnessing of the body's own healing and restorative processes to rejuvenate the skin. Laser treatments, for example, selectively wound the skin to encourage the skin to produce new skin in its' place. Skin creams and treatments are also designed to help boost and support the skin's natural healing and renewal processes. 

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is another example of a medical technique that is being used to improve the skin using the natural, healing components of the body. This treatment is also known as a Vampire Facelift. 

This treatment has been used for many years to help heal wounds and encourage quicker healing, for example in athletes suffering from sports injuries. Tiger Woods, the world's number one golfer, used PRP therapy to recover quickly from knee surgery. PRP also has a long history in the treatment of surgical recovery, bone cancer, ulcers, and torn ligaments, and there have been reported successes in a large variety of other conditions. 

In recent years, PRP therapy was introduced as a method of rejuvenation for the skin, helping to accelerate normal cell renewal and healing processes by stimulating collagen formation, revascularization (increasing blood supply) and repair. Using your own blood means that there is no risk of adverse reactions to the treatment. PRP can also be used as a 'natural filler' to help restore volume where necessary. 

How does PRP benefit the skin?

Blood contains platelets, which helps to clot the blood and repair damaged areas in the body. Platelets also release growth factors to stimulate the growth of new, healthy tissue. When PRP is injected into the skin, it activates dermal fibroblasts, a skin component that plays a key role in maintaining skin integrity and youthfulness, causing the synthesis of cell-renewal ingredients such as collagen, adhesive molecules and cytokines. It has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of wrinkles and for skin rejuvenation due to its growth factor activity. Read more about this research here.

A study done by doctors Alessio Redaelli, Domenico Romano and Antonio Marciano from Milan,Italy, and published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, May 2010, showed that Platelet-Rich Plasma treatment improved skin wrinkles, texture, elasticity, volume and skin tone. Patients reported an 82% improvement in skin tone, 52% improvement in wrinkle appearance, 87% improvement in general appearance, and 100% satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. 

Here are some photos of their findings from this study:

Before and after PRP treatments, showing improvement in texture, skin tone and colour. 

Before and after PRP treatment, showing scar revision. 

These photos, below,  are from a clinical study done in Munich, Germany by S. Zenker and published in a paper entitled 'Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Facial Rejuvenation', and shows how PRP can be used for skin rejuvenation for patients of any age and skin condition. 

How is the treatment performed?

The PRP treatment involves drawing your own blood from the veins in your arm. This blood is then placed in a centrifuge, which spins at high speed to separate the platelets from the other blood components.   

The platelet-rich plasma is then injected into the face in multiple injections. Each injection helps to spread the PRP into all areas of the face, while causing a small damage to encourage rejuvenation. PRP can also be used to rejuvenate the neck, decolletage and hands. PRP is also successfully being used as a hair loss remedy.

Kim Kardashian posted this picture of herself after PRP. As you can see, Kim's skin is glowing with youth and vitality!

Post-Treatment

You can see the benefits of the treatment from the second week, although repeat treatments are necessary for best results. A package of 6 treatments at 1 monthly intervals will give you excellent results. Results are gradual and the skin will continue to improve as the process of renewal can go on for up to a year after the treatment. A combination therapy together with fractional laser treatments can help to further improve and accelerate the rate of rejuvenation.

Safety and Results

The treatment is very safe as there is no risk of any allergy or reaction to the materials being injected. The skin is being encouraged to renew itself, so you will merely have better, firmer skin, but there is no chance of looking 'fixed' or 'unnatural'. It is particularly beneficial for the eye area, helping to improve dark circles and eye bags. It is also great for fine lines and wrinkles, and gives the complexion an overall youthful glow and uplifted appearance.    

If you're wondering how the platelets, which are already present in the body, can provide any further benefits by being re-injected, the important thing to know is that the process of injection is creating micro-wounds so that the body's wound-healing process is activated. The concentrated platelets injected into the area help to improve the process, and by doing so, all the skin's internal components are also being boosted. With regular maintenance and proper care, the skin can potentially be rejuvenated so the aging process is prevented for longer. 

--- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. 
To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page, visit Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's website at http://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com

Do You Have Dry Skin? Top Five Causes Of Dry Skin

Dry skin conditions often contribute to irritated, sensitive skin, and can lead to premature aging symptoms such as wrinkles and a dull complexion. 

If your skin often feels rough and dry, consider if these factors may be the cause:

Hyaluronic Acid - Every Skin's Best Friend

If you keep your ears to the ground in beauty matters, the ingredient hyaluronic acid should be something that is familiar to you. Often touted as a "fountain of youth" component of skincare, hyaluronic acid can be found in skin lotions, creams, serums, and is used as an injectable dermal filler, but what exactly is it? 

How Bad Is It To Sleep With Your Makeup On?

Journalist Anna Pursglove of MailOnline.com took up the challenge to not wash off her makeup for 30 days. By the third day of the experiment, her skin felt dry and taut and tiny white cysts had started to form around her eyelashes. In a week, her skin had become flaky and lumpy, and her friends commented that she looked tired. By the end of the month, she had visibly blocked and enlarged pores all over her nose, dry skin across her lips and cheeks, and red eyelids, and her eyelashes had developed dandruff.

Is Skincare Enough? The Truth About Skin Care and Aging

The amount of skin care products available on the market is staggering, with existing brands releasing new ranges all the time, and new brands coming on to the market everyday. They are marketed for acne-prone, mature age, pigmented, oily, sensitive, combination skin, in too many varieties to count, each marketing a special ingredient or function. I know that when my wife visits the cosmetics and skin care counters, I'd better get a comfortable place to sit because it will be a long wait as she goes through her many options!

As an aesthetic practitioner, skin care is my expertise, so it is not unusual that I am asked this question: If I take care of my skin and have a good skin care regimen, am I doing enough for my skin to help it age well?

Is Water Intake Important For Skin Health and Beauty?

We all know the rules for beautiful, clear skin. Apply plenty of sunblock. Cleanse well. Get plenty of sleep and drink your 8 glasses of water per day. But how essential is drinking plenty of water for beautiful skin?

Water's importance in maintaining proper health is indisputable. 70% of the body is made up of water, and it is a vital component of any healthy diet. So many of the body's functions require water: it keeps your bowels regular, flushes toxins from your body and energizes your muscles.

 

Sleeping Well Actually Helps You Look Well - Study Finds Link Between Beauty Sleep and Facial Appearance

We're all familiar with the term beauty sleep, but most of us think the effects of sleep-deprivation are minimal or temporary. A study by researchers at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center evaluated the skin of 60 women aged 30-49 years of age, and found that those who rated their quality of nightly sleep to be poor actually had increased signs of skin deterioration and aging. Their skin also showed a decreased ability to recover from environmental factors such as wounds and sun damage. 

Thread Lifts - The No-Surgery Face Lifting Alternative

A surgical facelift is no longer the only option for lifting and contouring a face. Besides the use of neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport to relax hyperactive muscles and dermal fillers to plump up lost volume, skin tightening lasers and radio-frequency treatments are also great ways to fight the effects of gravity and collagen degeneration. 

Thread lifts, often refered to as brand names such as Silhouette Lift, Contour Lift or Happy Lift, are another important method that is gaining in popularity and efficacy. Also known as suture lifts, thread lifts involve the use of threads or sutures made from the same materials used in surgery to close wounds. When placed under the skin, they can be used to tighten and volumize areas of the skin that are loose or sagging. Much like suspension cables, they are designed to hold up the skin in place, and provide a supportive structure that defies the effects of gravity and aging.

BBL Keeps You Forever Young

 

Scientifically Proven Way Of Reversing The Aging Process

Before - Age 43. After - Age 55. BBL treatments have been shown to reverse the appearance of aging skin




Mankind has been searching for the secret to eternal youth without success for millienia, but a new study has found an aesthetic treatment that may actually deliver. A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2013) has shown that BBL (Broadband Light) treatments are able to change the gene expression of skin cells so they are rejuvenated and act like younger cells.

While most aesthetic treatments can only help to mimic the appearance of youthful skin, BBL treatments are the first to be a proven functional anti-aging therapy, where the process of aging is actually reversed and the skin is able to be renewed and rejuvenated from within.

Survey Shows Botox Patients Look 5 - 6 Years Younger After Treatment

A recent study done by Allergan, the company that markets Botox, surveyed patients who received Botox treatments and asked them to assess themselves for improvement in their appearance. 

In most clinical studies, doctors are the ones who assess the results of treatments, but this study focused on the self-perception of age (SPA) of patients. The questionnaire was given to participants both just before their treatment, and one month after one Botox session. Patients were asked to describe their features in terms of looking their current age, younger than their current age, or older than their current age.

At the follow-up, most of the 249 patients surveyed felt they looked an average 5 - 6 years younger than they did before their treatment. The study also found that patients who received Botox in more than one area felt they looked better overall, as stress shows on many areas of the face, such as the forehead, eyes, frown lines and lines around the mouth. 

In my practice, I often recommend patients to allow treatment not just in areas where their wrinkles are deep and obvious, but I also suggest adding a few tiny injections all over the forehead and other areas. This tends to give a subtle, undefined gentle lifting effect, that is more harmonious and acceptable to the patient. 

If you have had Botox treatments, did your doctor treat your wrinkles specifically, and did the outcome meet your expectations? Do you think your Botox treatment met your desired anti-aging goals?

- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Botox Prices Around The World

The price of Botox treatments vary greatly from country to country, so out of curiosity, I decided to do a price comparison to find out how much patients are paying for Botox treatments in different countries. You can see the graphic I created below, with price ranges of Botox injections for each country.

I was very surprised to find that the cost of Botox injections in Malaysia (USD4.90 - USD6.60 per unit) is cheaper even than Indonesia (USD7 - USD9 per unit), Thailand (USD7 - USD12 per unit) and the Philippines (USD8 - USD12 per unit)! Botox is also surprisingly affordable in Europe (USD5 - 12 per unit) and Russia (USD5 - USD10 per unit) , although it seems to be a very premium product in Japan (USD12 - USD25 per unit).

Just as a point of reference, I have also made another graphic which lists the amount of Botox generally needed for different treatment points around the face. 

These infographics refer to the proprietary Botox product by Allergan. Dysport, or abobotulinum toxin A, is another neurotoxin product that is often used in place of Botox, but can be much cheaper. Dysport is also used in different dilutions to Botox, so the number of units needed for each procedure may vary. While these are the only two products available in Malaysia currently, there are other products including Xeomin. Dysport is also marketed under the brand name Reloxin and Azzalure.

- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Botox or Fillers? For Best Results, You May Need Both

A growing trend in aesthetic medicine is for a combination therapy approach to rejuvenation and correction, and botox and fillers are one such winning combination. The latest research has found that the two procedures have equal applications, but together, they can produce a synergistic effect that last longer and looks better.

Botox, or neurotoxins, work on the underlying muscle structures under the skin. The muscles not only provide movement, but affect our facial positioning and expressions. Certain large muscles such as those in the jawline, around the lips and eyes, as well as the forehead areas, can change the entire facial structure noticeably. Deep frown lines can make a person look permanently angry, while pronounced jaw muscles can give someone a belligerent or argumentative demeanor. Proper usage of botox not only relaxes the facial expression, but also can give a more pleasant, uplifted look.

Dermal fillers work hand in hand with botox to restore fullness to areas that are sunken or lined, and also helps to reshape and redefine the overall facial structure. By combining fillers with botox, the volume of both substances can be reduced to achieve a more natural, harmonious look.

Many patients find that in areas of the face that are in constant motion, such as in the mouth area, fillers do not last very long, as the muscle motion works to break up the fillers faster. A combination treatment including botox decreases muscle activity, so that the fillers are not broken down so quickly.

A combination of botox and fillers can relax and fill out deep frown lines
even better than either product can do alone.

The synergistic effect of botox and fillers is such that the combination of both is better than either treatment alone, and it has been theorized that effects of this dual-treatment lasts longer because the collagen production stimulated by fillers help the skin to form correctly in a way that muscle movement would have disturbed.


- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Skincare 101 - Active Ingredients That Really Work

A key component of skincare products are the active ingredients, the components that help to restore the skin's optimal wellness and appearance. Active ingredients help to boost your skin's ability to combat and reverse the damages of environmental and internal ravages, and are an important part of your daily care routine.

Which skincare? Consumers are spoilt for choice.

There are literally thousands of skincare brands on the market, with many more being launched every day. Expensive skincare brands are often advertised heavily, with endorsements by beautiful celebrities and models, but do big advertising budgets guarantee great products? Other brands are less well advertised but they appeal to different niche markets, whether it be the close-to-nature, hypo-allergenic or chic-but-cheap sectors. they all have different ingredients and claims that make the right choice very hard to make.

Which products have proven efficacy?

Dermatologist-tested products, or those who have been proven through clinical trials and tests, are your best option for products that actually give you your money's worth.

Anti-wrinkle creams are among those that are the most popular in the market. Everyone dreams of creams that can erase lines and wrinkles overnight, but unfortunately there are few products that actually live up to their exorbitant claims. One active ingredient that is proven is tretinoin, a Vitamin-A derivative which has been shown in trials to improve skin exfoliation and stimulate collagen production. It has also been shown to reduce pigmentation, improve skin tone and texture, and give a 'rosy glow' due to increased blood circulation.

Tretinoin must be applied daily for a minimum of 6 months for noticeable results. It has been tested in many short and long term clinical studies, and has been proven to work even on severely aged and wrinkled skin. Tretinoin can be highly irritating to the skin and can cause acne and skin peeling in the initial stages, so it should be prescribed and administered carefully under a doctor's care. A high SPF sunscreen is a must to prevent the skin from continuing sun damage during the treatment process. Pregnant or lactating women should not use tretinoin, and it should also be avoided if you have rosacea (skin redness). Also commonly prescribed for the treatment of acne, tretinoin is also now available in micronized form to help with some of the side effects such as skin dryness and irritation.

Over-the-counter products with Vitamin A in the form of retinol do not have the same efficacy as prescription products as retinol is not as easily absorbed and used by the skin. Retinol can be more helpful as a preventative measure to help younger skin prevent the signs of aging. Other forms of Vitamin A such as tazarotene and adapalene are also available, but most patients find tazarotene highly irritating, and adapalene too gentle and non-effective.

Products containing hydroquinone are also effective for lightening of pigmentation problems such as freckles, melasma, liver spots and age spots. Hydroquinone works by inhibiting enzyme reactions within the skin, thus preventing pigmentation. Hydroquinone creams are available at 2% strength in OTC products, but your doctor can prescribe a cream up to 4% strength for better results. The use of a sunblock is essential during treatment with hydroquinone creams. Some doctors use a hydroquinone and tretinoin combination for stubborn melasma or hyperpigmentation cases.

Alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid or lactic acid work by exfoliating dead skin cells to allow for growth of new skin. They also help to unclog pores, improve skin texture and have an added benefit of skin lightening and depigmentation. The pore cleansing action of AHA also means it can be helpful in controlling mild to moderate acne. AHA creams are very commonly available, but the low acid content of most OTC products means they have limited effectiveness; for AHAs to really make any difference, they must have at least a 10% acid content or more, and have a low pH of around 2. 15% glycolic acid lotions are a useful additional treatment for melasma, when used in conjunction with treatment creams such as Tri-Luma.

A doctor-administered glycolic acid peel can be useful to restore the skin by exfoliation to reveal the younger, smoother, lighter skin beneath. Research has also shown that glycolic acid peels used in combination with topical active ingredients such as tretinoin, can increase the effectiveness of the anti-wrinkle or skin lightening process.

Beta-hydroxy acids or salicylic acid, is more suitable for younger, oily skin, as it is soluble in oil. It helps to soften keratin and promotes clearance of blocked pores. BHAs are also useful in promoting skin moisture levels and is an effective anti-inflammatory agent as well. Salicylic acid is also prized for it's ability to improve cell turnover and promote depigmentation, and is therefore a great alternative for those who are sensitive to AHA creams.

Antioxidants are active ingredients that help to fight the free radical activity that damages skin cells, and therefore should be an important ingredient in your daily fight against skin degeneration. The good news is that there are many antioxidants that have been shown to have great efficacy. Green tea  or olive extracts, for example, contain polyphenols, which have been featured in numerous clinical studies that show their ability to retain moisture, fight oxidative stress and prevent formation of skin damage. Alpha -lipoic acid is another potent antioxidant that can inhibit cellular aging, help soothe inflammation and promote detoxification of a variety of chemicals. Vitamin C, CoEnzyme Q-10 and caffeine are also antioxidative substances that show promise in the battle against premature aging.

Perhaps the single most effective skin care product that you can use to prevent premature aging and protect your skin against sun damage is proper sun protection and sunblock. I wrote about the importance of proper sun care in a previous article, Sun Safety: Is Your Sunscreen Doing Its Job?. If your skin is being attacked and damaged by the sun on a daily basis, then it cannot look its best and absorb any of the goodness from your active ingredients, and you are essentially wasting your efforts and your money.

Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

The Eyes Have It - Younger Eyes Nonsurgically

When you look at a person's face, the eyes are always the focal point. Sadness, joy, delight, disgust, anger, fear, outrage or indifference, the eyes show us emotions, expressions and are a pivotal clue to our body language.

The eyes are not just a window to your soul, but  also  an indicator of your health, stress level and physical well-being

The eye area is also very easily affected by stress, whether from illness, fatigue, emotions or environmental factors. This stress, combined with the constant movements of the muscles surrounding the eyes contributes to wrinkles, crepe-like skin, crow's feet, eye bags and under-eye circles.

Effects of aging and stress on the eye area - 

Addressing the problem - The Madonna Eyelift

The Madonna Eyelift is named after the famous pop star, who had the procedure done to improve her eye area. The results are very dramatic, giving you years off your age, and refreshing and brightening your looks.

Can you believe Madonna is 54 years of age?
Her eyes don't give her age away.

The technique involves a fractional laser procedure in the upper and lower eyelid areas, which leaves skin tightened, lifted and smoothened. The procedure takes only 10 minutes to do both eyes, and about 3 -5 sessions may be necessary for optimal results.

Just as fractional lasers help to restore collagen, smoothen skin surfaces, and erase fine lines on the facial area, it works in the same way on the eye area. It is important to note that the technique has only been proven on certain fractional lasers, and specialized training is required for any doctor who is doing the procedure.





Watch Dr. Bruce Katz, the pioneer of the Madonna Eyelift, do this procedure -

The Madonna Eyelift is a minimally-invasive, low downtime procedure that gives you a refreshed, brightened eye area, with results that are very rarely seen with topical creams and serums, for example.  Botox, fillers, thread lifts and surgery can be used in conjunction with the Madonna Eyelift in severe cases.

Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email.