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I found this blog by RealSelf very interesting so I decided to share it with my readers.

Expect to see bigger rears, fewer wrinkles, and unfortunate botched jobs in the New Year, according to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). They’ve made a number of plastic surgery predictions for 2011:

1. Brighter financial times lift faces

ASAPS cites the economy improving as stimulating demand for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation surgery (procedures people put off due to the recession).

2. More fillers, Botox, and Injectables

The growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables (Botox, Dysport, Sculptra, Radiesse, Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.

3. Massive weight loss leads to more skin tightening

ASAPS says the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2011.  Check out Spa 10′s body toning treatments for improvements in skin tightening and toning.  http://www.thespa10.com/body_toning.php

4. Changing out the breast implants

As the boomer women age, so do their breast implants, points out ASAPS.  Breast implants will get replaced in 2011 and breast lifting will also be a trend.

5. More botched plastic surgery cases

ASAPS routinely reports terrible experiences consumers have with buying injectables overseas or on the web.  Additionally, they point to poor training and unqualified injectors causing harm. “Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately lead to an increase in horror stories about ‘discount injectables’ bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners,” predicts ASAPS.

6. New ways to zap fat

Consumers will increasingly seek out alternatives to liposuction that are non-invasive techniques for fat removal (freezing, zapping, lasering)

7. Getting that celebrity buttocks

ASAPS sees the influence of celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez on women who want a shapely rear-end. “In the coming year patients will be seeking posterior body lifts, buttock lifts, surgical and nonsurgical buttock augmentations to shape and augment their buttocks,” explains ASAPS.

References:

http://www.realself.com/blog/2011-plastic-surgery-trends-predictions

Here are some proven ways to live a longer fuller life.   Add some new habits and add years and some fun to your life!

1. Two-plus hours of exercise a week and you’re 30 percent less likely to die in the next 20 years than if you don’t exercise at all.

2. Check your body-mass index- anywhere between 18.5-22.9 and you maybe 2 1/2 times more likely to age free of disease.

3. Having a waist circumference less than 35 inches cut your mortality risk by 23 percent- avocados and yogurt may shrink bloat and belly fat.

4. Be sure your cholesterol level is under 160 to decrease risk of stroke and heart disease.

5. Add fiber to your diet for healthy heart function (check out Spa 10′s earlier blog on Chia seeds- an easy way to do this).

6. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night- hunger-regulating hormones aren’t as likely to be disrupted.

7. Find a way to manage stress and weight to keep blood pressure under 120/80.

8. Adopt a pet if you don’t already have one- animals an reduce loneliness and depression and lower risk of dying of a heart attack by 40 percent.

9. Add antioxidants to your daily regime they help fight free radical that cause cell damage.  I personally like Elite Red as it is packed full of amazing ingredients to help you look and feel amazing www.nixonelite.com.

10. Keep your alcoholic drinks to one a day and of course cut cigarettes out of your life completely.

Science shows that on average, you replace about 1 percent of the cells in your body every day.  Each cell comes in a little stronger or a little weaker than the one before, depending on how you choose to live your life.  You are the only one who has the power to make the changes that will provide you the health and beauty you deserve!

References

Dr. Henry S. Lodge, M.D. Professor of medicine at Columbia University and coauthor of Younger Next Year (Workman Publishing).

Here are a few tips from E!’s Red Carpet Blog to help you look and feel better after your New Years Eve Party:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b217677_Look__and_Feel__Better_the_Morning_After_a_Party.html

Water!  Would you rather look like a prune or a plum?  I would much rather have my skin look nice and plump like a plum, which can be hard to achieve during the dry winter months.  According to a study conducted in Japan even when skin is exposed to dry climates for a short period, it will lose moisture content.   Lack of moisture does contribute to wrinkling of the skin, so I will list a few helpful hints that can make you look years younger by adding hydration to your daily regime.

1.  Use a nourishing cream with collagen-boosting nutrients  to hold moisture and plump up fine lines and wrinkles.

2.  One to one rule-  for every glass of coffee or alcohol that you consume be sure to follow it with a glass of water to prevent dehydration from taking place within your body.

3. The skin around the eyes is 5-10 times thinner than the rest of the face  and there is almost no oil production in this area.  It is important to use an eye cream twice a day (which I have been doing since the age of 16).  Nontoxic, nonocclusive  is important as you want to allow the skin to breath- proper respiration function is important to keep the blood circulating- avoiding dark circles from forming.

4.  Omega 3 fish oils are an easy and super powerful way to avoid dehydration, and they provide our bodies with so many anti-aging benefits.

5.  Look for these hydrating ingredients in your serums and moisturizers:  aloe vera barbadensis, hyaluronic acid, squalane, jojoba.  These are just a few  ingredients that will help your skin retain moisture,  promote healing and provide you with a healthy youthful glow.

References:

Return to Beautiful Skin by Myra Michelle Eby with Karolyn Gazella.

While attending the World Congress on Anti-aging in Las Vegas this December I asked health care providers from all over the country what they thought of colonics and the feedback was very positive.  These are Doctors  who are changing the way they practice medicine, and are now educating patients on how to prevent disease from ever happening within our bodies.   Many experts believe that 80 percent of disease and discomfort comes from a toxic colon.

I asked Spa 10’s Colon Hydro Therapist to provide us with some information on the process and benefits of receiving a colonic.  Here’s what Kameron had to say:

We are all guilty of overeating and not always making the best decisions with food, especially around the holidays.  A toxic colon can effect the body in many ways.  Not only can it cause your skin to be dull and have blemishes, but you could also feel sluggish, have low energy levels, be constipated, have poor sleep, lower back pain, experience mood swings, a bloated belly, and also feel a decrease in sexual desire.  Cleansing your colon benefits everyone.

Whether you eat extremely clean or frequent the drive through often, we all develop plaque on the walls of the colon.  Colonics or also called Colon Hydrotherapy is a natural process that cleanses the colon of this toxic buildup.  Colonics is a process where pure water is flushed in and out of the colon several times in a session to break up this plaque.  It is relatively comfortable and you can resume all normal activities afterwards.  You will not need to make special arrangements to be near a toilet all day.  The actual process takes an hour, and you stay completely covered with a gown and with your colon hydro-therapist the entire time.

For the average healthy person looking to do a general cleanse we recommend a few sessions to get through the layers of build up that have accumulated over time.  Three colonic sessions performed weekly are recommended.  However, colonics is not for everyone.  People with ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, recent abdominal surgery, or are pregnant should not do colonics.

After your session you will feel light and empty, you might even drop a few pounds.  The uses of beneficial bacteria, otherwise known as probiotics, are vital in the colonic cleansing process, and the quest to have beautiful skin.  Probiotics are sold at your local vitamin shop and are relatively inexpensive.  Probiotics should be taken daily to replace any good bacteria lost in a colonic, but also to help prevent yeast infections, and keep your immune defenses strong through the cold and flu season.  Looking to do more research…then go to http://www.Hydro-Health.com for more information about colonics and watch an informational video too. So as a new year approaches, we all ask, what is it that we want for this next year?  Feeling great and having radiant glowing clear skin isn’t out of reach for anyone.  What are you waiting for?  Don’t put off feeling or looking better another day!

Kameron Gross owner of Hydro-Health Colonics in Encino, has been performing colonics for nine years and is trained to guide you to vibrant and radiant health.  Contact Hydro-Health Colonics in Encino, located inside of Spa 10, at 818-935-9400 to schedule an appointment.  Hydro-Health Colonics in Encino is your ultimate Colon Hydrotherapy Spa in Los Angeles.   www.hydro-health.com

Credible scientific data, careful consideration, and rigorous research show that the use of stem cells in topical skin care products provide a great amount of benefit to the skin.   There are now multiple choices for topical stem cell use.  The skin does not/cannot benefit from a fully intact stem cell, it is what is inside of the cell that provides the effects.

One cell culture extract that has been getting a lot of positive attention for its highly potent antioxidant capability is Syringa Vulgaris (Lilac) Leaf.   The Lilac stem cell extract has a higher ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value than vitamin c  and green tea!  This stem cell extract has shown inhibit  acne bacteria and support wound healing.  Look for this ingredient in your acne products to help prevent breakouts and to aid in the healing of active acne.  I personally like PCA’s C-Quench Serum.

Another stem cell extract that has experts in the anti-aging industry paying close attention to is Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Cell Extract.  Its unique mechanism of action protects the human epidermal stem cells from environmental damage.   It also acts as a UV absorber protecting our skin cells from sun damage.  Try PCA Skin’s Rejuvenating Serum with Grape Fruit Cell Extract to promote healthy cell turn over and to protect against cellular damage; both of these actions will help delay the aging process, protect your skin from the sun and give your skin a youthful glow.

Fortunately, the stem cell extracts mentioned here are sourced from plants so they are not included in controversial debate surrounding other forms of stem cell usage.

Available at Spa 10

Available at Spa 10

References

Jennifer Linder, M.D.

Ivana Velijkovic, PhD, Organic Chemistry

PCA Skin

Teeth naturally darken and yellow during the aging process.  Staining foods and beverages may also hinder your smile.  You can now erase the past by whitening your teeth- it has become affordable and convenient!  At Spa 10′s Encino location we  have an amazing dental hygienist who is available on Friday and Saturdays to offer you professional teeth whitening at it’s finest!

A whiter smile will brighten up your complexion, making you look and feel years younger.  Whiter teeth are associated with beauty and a healthier lifestyle. When you have a brighter smile, you tend to smile more often and are less self-conscious.  It is a safe and effective way to boost your confidence in as little as 45 minutes.

Improve your smile by making an appointment with Erin Kinne, R.D.H today.  Erin is the best and you will love her knowledge, expertise, professionalism,  and her amazing ability to make you look and feel beautiful.

Erin Kinne, R.D.H

818-667-9830

www.whiteningbyerin.com

Yes, we all have a skin type and it is a good idea to have a licensed professional esthetician help you determine yours.  Knowing your skin type allows you to take proper care of your skin which is often a must to achieve and maintain a healthy beautiful skin tone.  Believe it or not knowing your skin type can actually save you money in the long run because you will be able to buy the most effective products rather than the ones that we have all purchased in the past that end up just sitting on ours shelves!

7 factors that determine your skin type:

1. Health Problems and Medications

If you are on prescription medications, your skin type can change and is often more sensitive to the sun.  Ask your pharmacist if your medications can influence your skin in any way and always tell your esthetican what medications you are taking before any skin care treatment including waxing

2. Skin Care Products

Using the wrong creams, over exfoliating, or using products full of perfumes and alcohol are the things that I find negatively affect my clients skin type. Some ingredients can dry and make the skin very sensitive.  Be very careful about the products you put on your skin.  An experienced esthetician who really cares about your skin will have a full line of products and and should offer a free consultation to provide you the knowledge you need to take care of your skin on a daily basis from home.

3. Diet and Lifestyle

What you eat and what you do dramatically effects your skin type.   Exercise can give you a healthy glow.  A low fat diet can cause your skin to become dry.  Smoking and drinking can deplete your skin of nutrients it needs to function properly.

4.Genetics

Genetics is just one factor that can determine your skin type.  If possible, find our your parents skin type and it will make determining yours a little easier.

5. Climate and Weather

Your skin will be affected by the changes in the climate that you are in hot, cold, dry,  damp or humid.  I often change my cleanser and moisturizer twice a year to provide less or more hydration depending on the season.

6. Hormonal Changes

Hormones are powerful and as they fluctuate, our skin and our skin type can change.  Most hormonal changes occur during extreme stress, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause.   These are the times most new clients find Spa 10 for facial services as no one likes to walk around with breakouts,  especially when you have these other things effecting your life.

7. Sun Exposure

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A HEALTHY  TAN. Exposure to sunlight will cause damage to your skin and influence your skin type in a negative way.  Spa 10 offers an amazing organic based airbrush spray on tan that can be customized to your specific skin tone to give you a sun-kissed glow  or a deep tropical tan.  Our solution even has a blend of anti-aging ingredients to help nourish your skin.  Spray tans have become very popular and are an amazing alternative to the damaging rays of the sun.

All of  Spa 10′s Estheticans are licensed, educated, passionate about what they do and eager to help our clientele achieve healthy beautiful skin.

References

“Return to Beautiful Skin” Myra Michelle Eby and Karolyn A. Gazella

This week one of my health conscience clients told me about the benefits of Chia Seeds.  I always listen to her because she looks amazing…probably 10 years younger than she is (not a wrinkle on her healthy beautiful skin)!

Here is some information that I gathered on what is quoted to be the, “Ancient Grain Of The Future.”

Chia is the richest known vegetable source of Omega-3 fatty acids.  It has 3X the antioxidants of blueberries, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, is a better protein source than beans or soy.  Antioxidants fight the toxins in our body that speed up our aging process.  Chia seeds might make you look younger and feel younger as they can provide the following health benefits:

• Help to end food cravings
• Stabilize blood sugar
• Aid in detoxifying the body
• Help develop muscle and healthy tissue

Notice how all these things relate to looking younger? Your cravings make you choose non-nutritious, sugar packed snacks. Eating too much sugar and processed foods can cause your skin to look older than its years,  speed up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of vitality, and add surplus pounds in places you would rather not maintain them. Ingesting chia seeds can help you cut these cravings.

Also, the nutrients and vitamins in chia will assist in generating tissue and muscle in your body- both tissue and muscle mass in our bodies decline as we age. Your hair desires vitamins to restore its youthful gloss. Your skin craves nutrients to sustain its natural elasticity. Chia is high in omega 3, vitamin B, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, and lots of other vitamins and minerals- all proven to help achieve and maintain healthy looking skin.

Even if you are just in your 20s or 30s it’s never too early to start thinking about your appearance and your long-term goals.  A nutritious regimen now will help you to age gracefully.

Many so-called  “health foods” are hard for you to digest.  Chia is easy for your body to digest and absorb. Actually, since it has so much fiber, chia will also help you digest the additional foods you eat. A healthy digestive system is an essential part of looking younger. An unhealthy colon is where disease can  start within in the body, and could cause chronic health issues that affect your appearance and make you look and feel older.

I found mine at Clarks Health Food Store in Palm Desert, CA and am baking some yummy heart healthy cookies with them right now!

Acne – Acne is the most common skin condition, affecting nearly 45 million Americans each year. Acne develops where there are more oil glands present, e.g. face, scalp, chest, back and neck. There are many different types of acne and each patient should be treated according to their particular case.  Spa 10 has specific treatments and products that can help calm, heal and clear the skin.

Aging – Aging of the skin is a result of many different factors that can be broken into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic or uncontrollable aging is chronological and genetic. Facial wrinkling, expression lines and drier, more sensitive skin may be a result of intrinsic aging. The extrinsic or more controllable factors of aging refer to exposure to the sun and/or pollutants which cause a breakdown of the skin’s structure, leading to discoloration, wrinkles, skin growths and even cancer. Many skin scientists believe the extrinsic factors are to blame for 90% of the visible signs of aging.  At Spa 10 when we  attempt to correct signs of aging,  we believe it is important to use products that not only treat, but also prevent future damage from occurring.

Hyperpigmentation (skin discoloration) – Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin. Causes of hyperpigmentation range from sun damage caused by UV exposure, hormone fluctuations due to pregnancy or menopause, and skin injuries such as acne scarring. Certain skin types can also be more susceptible to hyperpigmentation. It is important to consult with a skin care professional prior to using products to even skin discoloration as high percentages of strong ingredients can cause further irritation and lead to more discoloration.  The best way to prevent hyperpigmentation from occurring or worsening is to use SPF daily.

Rosacea – Rosacea is a somewhat misunderstood skin condition. Currently, there is no known cure or cause. Rosacea is generally characterized by persistent redness and/or breakouts on the central areas of the face, commonly affecting the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. Although there is no cure, there are many different methods of controlling rosacea symptoms. There are medical therapies that work well in conjunction with cosmeceuticals and professional treatments to control rosacea symptoms.  Many people also have reported Rosacea outbreaks after eating chocolate, lobster, prawns, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food colorings and MSG. Aspartame and Nutra Sweet as a sugar replacement causes noticeable flushing in 30% of rosaceans (replace these sweeteners with stevia and you may see an improvement in skin irritations).

Spa 10 carries a full line of PCA products to help improve all the skin conditions listed above.

Skin Conditions: PCA Skin Care

http://www.pcaskin.com/common_skin_conditions.aspx