Beach Body 2013
It is May which means summer is around the corner, especially here in Southern California! This year has gone by fast so far!
Many patients have confided to me that they simply aren’t ready for summer wardrobes… which include sundresses, bathing suits, and showing more skin at the beach and on vacation.
Is it too late to do something about it? The answer is NO.
Here are a few things that you can do with zero to one week of down time in order feel better about your face and body in no time.
Facial injectibles: obviously can be done year round with hopefully no down time. If you find yourself hiding out for days after having a liquid facelift, botox, or lip injections, then find another injector. You should be able to go out to dinner after having Botox or Juvederm.
PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma is getting much attention and recognition as a new aesthetic treatment for the face.
As a former trainer for the Vampire Facelift, which is a specific way of injecting PRP and Juvederm, I have turned quite a few Plastic Surgeons in Beverly Hills on to PRP therapy. PRP is the golden plasma derived from one small tube of your own blood. It has been used in virtually every specialty in medicine. Platelet-rich plasma is similar to HA fillers because it can be injected to sculpt the face. But, here’s the best part: not only does the PRP cause an increase in the volume, PRP contains at least 8 growth factors that will over a long period of time, continually work like a rejuvenating agent.
By activating these growth factors, all 3 parts of the aging process improve:
1. The skin color becomes a “younger” color because of new
blood vessel formation.
2. New collagen formations in the dermis lifts the face back to a
more youthful shape.
3. Because the growth factors are working to build a new dermis, the epidermis (the outer most layers of your skin)
appears smoother. and is extremely safe.
Also, there is no down time and you should be able to go back to work on the same day.
Dry Brushing
I have become a huge fan of dry brushing the skin. This eliminates all the dead skin cells from your body and makes the skin smooth and able to absorb products and self tanning crèmes and sprays. Use a natural bristle brush instead of a synthetic one.
Start with your feet, moving in soft circular movements (always moving towards the heart) first on the bottom of the feet, and then on the top.
Work up each leg, one at a time, first the back of the leg (using the same soft circular, always towards the heart, movements) up through the buttock and then the front of the leg. Avoid any delicate skin, like the skin on the insides of the thighs.
After you are finished with the lower half, start at the fingertips of one arm; move up the arm (palms of hands, back of hands, forearm, bicep) and towards the heart. Repeat on other arm.
Move to the back (this is where a short handled brush may come in handy) working your movements towards your stomach, starting and finishing with one side of the back and then the other.
When you get to your stomach, start at your lower abdomen and work your way up (make sure to steer clear of delicate areas like the nipples) and end at your chest in an upward stroke.
Rinse off and shower as normal.
Dry brushing also stimulates the circulation and lymphatic system as well…which in turn decreases the appearance of cellulite. There is no technology yet that removes cellulite (unfortunately).
Micro liposuction
Small stubborn areas that seem to remain even after a healthy diet and exercise can be removed easily with micro liposuction. Abdomen, upper arms, chin, and love handles (flanks) are popular areas that sometimes need a little help. This can be done under local anesthesia, and the swelling and bruising is kept to a minimum. There are many lasers, radio frequency devices, skin tightening devices that claim to work, however I have found that the traditional way of removing fat manually by a trained plastic surgeon is the most effective and permanent.
Breast Augmentation
This procedure can be done in less than an hour and has minimal down time. The downside is that you cannot exercise until your surgeon clears you, usually a few weeks. The upside is that you can buy all new bikinis and start wearing them immediately.
Self tanning is still a quick, easy way to get a jump on your summertime look while avoiding the sun and its damaging effects. There are many products at the drugstore, online, and in your neighborhood that provide self tanning crèmes and sprays, so choose what works best for you.
I hope that you have a wonderful summer!
Sylvia Silvestri, RN
