Apr 24, 2009 by Jennifer Galvan, Editor
It is quite common for women who have experienced childbirth to want their pre-pregnancy body back, specifically in their midsection. Those who have experienced massive weight loss, with bothersome loose skin surrounding their abdomen, typically seek methods that will make their midsection as flat as can be.
Oftentimes, this leads women to tummy tuck surgery ("abdominoplasty") and/or liposuction ("lipoplasty"). But with the economic struggles we are all faced with today, many people must ask themselves: Is this feasible?
Enter Rodial Tummy Tuck Cream - a new, innovative serum to help you tighten and trim the abdominal area. Containing "stomach flattening micro fibers" that are designed to help slim the target area, this formula is intended to break down fat cells and boost cell metabolism. In only eight weeks, this Tummy Tuck product is said to help reduce the stomach by two centimeters.
Sounds like a great product, right? During this budget-conscious time in our lives, it may be a great alternative to undergoing a costly surgical procedure. The media is split down the middle about this "miracle cream" and its effectiveness. While there are many who claim to have lost anywhere from one to eight inches, there are still plenty others who are dismissing the product altogether.
The idea of undergoing a body contouring procedure isn't something I'm considering at this point in my life, but I would definitely like some help in tightening my tummy. It would be a much more wallet-friendly option!
Rodial Tummy Tuck: $130
Apr 22, 2009 by Sara Folsom, Staff Writer
My last post,
Smooth Away Cottage Cheese Thighs with Endermologie ®, focused on how to alleviate and reduce the appearance of cellulite. I previously spoke to Espie Byrd, an aesthetic consultant at the practice of
Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S. in Mission Viejo. She discussed Endermologie (“connective tissue treatment”), and its method in treating the problem that haunts most women.
Even with medical cellulite treatments, there are no guarantees that an individual is cellulite free from then on out. Byrd says, however, that a “lifestyle change” will promote the maintenance of reduced cellulite, despite there being no actual cure to the problem.
Following a session of Endermologie treatment, Byrd advises her clients to incorporate the following to maintain their results: (These may be done everyday to eliminate the appearance of cellulite, with or without Endermologie treatment.)
Lymphatic brushing: This technique helps get rid of toxins in the body. Using a dry brush in the morning, move it in a circular motion when you first wake up (to jumpstart your body) on a daily basis. Start on your hands and then move all the way down to your toes.
Foam Roller: This helps to increase circulation and flow throughout the target area, helping to break up the cellulite. You move the foam roller across the target area, back and forth. It is a similar feeling to that of a deep tissue massage.
Exercise: Exercise helps bring more oxygen to the surface of the skin, which helps prevent cellulite from forming, on a regular basis.
Nutrition: A well-balanced diet and plenty of water promotes better circulation throughout the body. Byrd suggests drinking 64 ounces of water per day in order to flush toxins from the body.
Creams: Incorporates the “holistic way” by promoting massaging of the target area for increasing circulation and breaking up the fat cells. According to Byrd, there is no such thing as a “magical” cream that will miraculously get rid of cellulite, but specific products help to promote circulation. When choosing a cellulite cream/rub, Byrd suggests looking for the following ingredients: ginger, rosemary, grapefruit, caffeine, and gingko biloba.
In addition to myself, a few of the ladies at PlasticSurgery.com tried out some of the at-home treatments that are intended to reduce and prevent cellulite.
Here are our
thoughts on the products we tried:
Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel, Soap and Glory: Jennifer Galvan, Copy Editor
Price: $12.99
“I used the Return to Slender Body Contouring Gel as directed: twice a day for about three weeks on my tummy. I liked the cool, tingling feeling it gave off when I applied it, which made me think that it was actually doing something! However, after a while, I started to notice that it was causing me to itch and I had to stop using it. I tried the gel again after a week and couldn’t continue, due to the itching. But I did like how my skin felt. It was very soft and smooth.”
Java Junkie, BodiTox.com: Sara Folsom, (me), Staff Writer
“Java Junkie is a combination of a scrub, wrap, and lotion, making it easier to clean and moisturize, while eliminating extra steps. There are two options when using this product; you can either use it as a scrub a few times a week or use it as a wrap (by scrubbing into the skin and wrapping cellophane over the desired area). I decided to use it as a scrub three times a week, which was convenient because I used it while I showered. I made sure to massage my thighs as I used the scrub.
After a couple days of use, I could see the difference. My skin was a lot tighter and smoother. I am sure, however, if I had used the product as a wrap, my results would have been more dramatic. Overall, I was satisfied with the results, and I was impressed at how soft my skin was within a weeks time.”
Bootcamp for Butts, Mama Mio: Jacquie Fischer, Project Coordinator
Price: $160
“This is a great four-step process to help your skin look and feel more firm. This is a must! I used it for almost four weeks and started noticing a difference in my skin texture within the first week of use.
The process consists of the following:
Step one: A three-minute exercise routine designed to tighten and firm up your muscles. (There is a little card to keep with you for quick and easy directions.)
Step two: The Body Buff wash to use in the shower. The wash does not feel super rough or grainy; it is more of a light exfoliator, while leaving my skin feeling soft and moisturized.
Step three: The Tummy Toner is a gel that you rub and massage into you skin; it leaves the skin feeling cool and refreshed.
Step four: The Shrink to Fit Cream was my favorite. You massage this into your skin after the toner. Overall, I thought it has a nice, clean smell. The end result will leave you feeling cool, but warm at the same time.
Due to my daily use of the products, and incorporating the three-minute exercise routine along with it, I noticed a difference in my overall skin texture and tone. The key to this four step process is massaging your skin, which activates and creates blood flow to your cells. When I looked in the mirror after using the product, I noticed less dimples and way less visible, creepy skin on my arms. I personally don't like trotting around in the buff but I am more confident with my body as swimsuit season is quickly approaching.”
Slimwear Body Cream, Soap and Glory: Elana Pruitt, Senior Editor, Price: $12.99
“I was so excited to get a product, the Slimwear Body Cream, that is designed to fight the battle of cellulite. Right below my bottom and on the outer sides of my hips (“saddlebags”), the cottage-cheese appearance makes me insane. I understand that all women, no matter their size, has some sort of cellulite. Yet, this doesn’t mean we have to just let it be without trying to eliminate it!
The pink cream especially got me because it was so feminine and made me feel like this is specifically for a woman. It had a nice consistency, not too watery and not to thick. Sara told me that when I try it, be sure to really lather it in and massage at the same time. So, I did so right after the shower. Consciously, I made it a point to start at my ankles and move up, so that I am loosening up the cell formation. (This was another helpful tip that Sara gave me, which she received from Byrd.) At some point, I got a little too rough, and my skin reddened. So, it took me a few tries to achieve the right motion. Because I exercise regularly, I couldn’t tell if the appearance of my cellulite improved because of the cream, the exercise, or a combination of both. For the most part, the Slimwear Body Cream is a nice addition to a healthy lifestyle.”
With the combination of the holistic way, as well as Endermologie treatment, an individual can significantly reduce the appearance of her cellulite. However, for the best results, consistent maintenance is crucial. As Byrd says the ever-binding solution to preventing and getting rid of cellulite is all about a “lifestyle change.”
Apr 14, 2009 by Jennifer Galvan, Editor
Summer is almost here and women everywhere are doing everything possible to tone up their bodies. Whether they want to flatten their tummies, build more leg muscle, or slim their arms, all options are being considered. Although many decide to undergo a cosmetic procedure, such as tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, or arm lift surgery, it is difficult for many others to afford plastic surgery.
How about checking out shapewear instead? From body contouring store brand products to SPANX, we’re constantly looking for the next new items. This leads me to the latest of these – Trés Sleek, formerly known as FLABuLESS. This arm slimming shapewear is intended to help women of all ages and sizes achieve better-contoured arms in a matter of minutes.
Trés Sleek comes in two shades – nude and black; three styles – long sleeved, cap sleeve and three quarter sleeve; and seven sizes – small to 4X. With such variety, it’s hard not to find the right fit for your body. Elana, Sara, and I tried on the large; Elana saw a difference in the shape of her arms. However, with unique shapes among all three of us, Sara and I didn’t notice too much of a difference. Still, we felt more toned.
Take a look at our results (top to bottom - Sara, Jennifer, Elana):
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Trés Sleek can also be worn by those who have undergone a surgical procedure, such as liposuction or arm lift surgery as a compression garment. So with the current economic issues surrounding all of us, this is an excellent alternative. You can get the slim, trim arms you’ve been wanting in a matter of minutes!
If you would like to purchase Trés Sleek, check out their website.
Cost of product: $26.95 - $31.95
Mar 26, 2009 by Sara Folsom, Staff Writer
For years, women have been battling the war on cellulite, or what is more frequently referred to as “cottage cheese” or “orange peel” skin. Although we may be able to alleviate its appearance, cellulite is an ever-present conflict; it is impossible to get rid of entirely. Whether you are overweight, average, or underweight - anyone can get it.
This has been a problem I have been battling myself – cellulite has been a frustration of mine for years now. Even with my athletic background, I continue to develop unattractive “cottage cheese thighs.” But with a New Year to now enjoy, I have been working on making significant improvements upon myself physically, which includes attaining smoother, more attractive thighs!
So in order to better understand the problem of cellulite, I decided to visit a professional on this matter. I sought out the advice of Espie Byrd, an aesthetic consultant at the practice of Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S., an Orange County plastic surgeon in Mission Viejo, and decided to try out Endermologie (“connective tissue treatment”).
What is Endermologie?
Now referred to as Lipomassage ®, due to new technological advances, Endermologie is used as a full silhouette treatment. “It is manual manipulation with massage. Different than a deep tissue massage, it is more of a skin rolling technique; moving it and creating circulation to the skin tissue… It is best described as a ‘needing’ technique,” said Byrd, describing the technology behind Endermologie.
This procedure offers different levels of intensity, aspiration, and manipulation. The unique quality of Endermologie, in comparison to other cosmetic devices for treating cellulite, is that you can treat any woman at any size or any age.
My Endermologie treatment:
My target areas for treatment were my buttocks and thighs. I put on a full body suit and lied down on my stomach. The device ran along my body (from the back and arms to the legs), but mostly focused on my target areas. What the device is doing is providing manipulation to the area, which creates circulation throughout the body. (Cellulite is formed based on lack of circulation to the connective tissue). Because the device gave me a pinching sensation, I was slightly uncomfortable at some moments. Other than these sporadic awkward pinches, it mostly felt like a deep massage or a vacuum sucking up the skin on my body. Overall, it was relaxing and just felt like I was getting an intense massage.
Byrd explained that Endermologie provides different levels of intensity, making it easy to customize treatments for each patient. The average patient will undergo 10 sessions of treatment; however, more sessions may be recommended in order to attain the best results.
Endermologie can greatly improve the appearance of cellulite, but in order to best treat the issue, you must understand the science of cellulite. To my delight, Byrd made it easy for me to understand. Breaking the information up into bits and pieces, she answered my questions with knowledgeable insight:
What is cellulite?
We know what it looks like - dimplings on the skin. Depending on the stage of the cellulite it may not be visible (stage 2), only visible when pinched (stage 3), or always visible (stage 4). But the real question is: What exactly is creating the “cottage cheese” look?
Byrd describes cellulite as being composed in pockets of fat cells. “In between each pocket there is something called connective tissue (septa). When we don’t have enough oxygen or circulation going to surface of the skin, the lymph system is not pulling away toxins from the skin, which causes the septa to get hard and pull down on the area, and the fat cells to get swollen.” It is this that causes the appearance of cellulite!
Usually, those who smoke, drink a lot of caffeinated beverages, have a bad diet, or are going through hormonal stages end up developing cellulite. Also, if your mom has it, more likely you will get it, or already have it. Cellulite is not an uncommon issue; according to Byrd, 90 percent of women have it (visible and not), regardless of ethnicity, age, or skin type.
So how do we get rid of the cottage cheese look?
Byrd said that we must “bring circulation to the area in order to remove toxins.” She continues to say that, “We can use manipulation to bring blood to that area, breaking up the septa.”
Byrd suggests Endermologie (one of many treatments provided at Dr. von Maur’s practice) to bring circulation to the connective tissues. “Endermologie promotes circulation. Increase in circulation will help move things around, breaking up the septa,” said Byrd.
What about liposuction to help to reduce the appearance of cellulite?
Liposuction can minimally reduce the appearance of cellulite, and is typically used to only decrease the circumference of the target area. So for women seeking optimal results, liposuction can be paired up with Endermologie. In turn, liposuction will help to remove excess fat deposits from the area while Endermologie irons the texture (cellulite) out.
Above all, this could very well be the answer to alleviating the appearance of cellulite. Yet, preventing, eliminating, and reducing cellulite all comes down to maintenance, even with regular treatment. Byrd said the war on cellulite is a never-ending battle; it becomes a lifestyle change. She said that, “there is no quick fix” to completing getting rid of it.
In helping to uncover the new you, I will present at-home treatments for maintaining your Endermologie results and reducing the appearance of the “orange peel look.” Your new year doesn’t have to be a bumpy road.
(Stay tuned for more!)
Cost of Endermologie: $60 to $160 per session
Burr von Maur, M.D., F.A.C.S., Inc.
Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center
27800 Medical Center Road, Suite 351
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: (949) 364-9107
Pictured: A patient of Espie Byrd at the office of Dr. von Maur.
Mar 20, 2009 by Elana Pruitt, Senior Editor
I love to exfoliate my skin with a nice scrub. Sometimes, I use my St. Ives Apricot Scrub, and other times I turn to my microdermabrasion gel from
Facelogic Spa. Just like many women, I have whiteheads along my nose and cheeks, and blackheads near my chin that mini particles help to remove. Unfortunately, I also have dark, caved-in circles below my eyes, which I never seemed to have when I slept more than five hours at night.
So in trying to rejuvenate and refresh my overall complexion, I decided to go forth and try out Bliss ® Peeling Groovy. Although the dark circles are still noticeable, I feel that this anti-aging serum and “spa-strength peel” has at least helped to brighten my overall face. It is the lightest consistency I have ever applied to my face. It doesn’t tighten, redden, or dry out my skin. I wear it for about 10 minutes as I get ready for work, and then apply my scrub on top of the serum. I make it a point to carefully pat it under my eyes to help reduce the darker circles, while smoothing out some of the lines that have formed as well. My skin is normal-to-oily, so it works well for me.
Audrey, on the other hand, who admitted that this product is good for brightening and adding a refreshed touch, did not see too much of an improvement to the lines and darker shade under her eyes (a bothersome trait she says is genetics).
So one of my goals in 2009 is to continue to not only rejuvenate my face with special products, good sleeping patterns, and a healthy diet; I will make it a point to apply sun block every day. I must be conscious that UVB rays can still affect the quality of one’s skin whether the sun is out or not. I should do my utmost to protect my eyes from sun exposure with a good sunscreen – a factor that can be controlled, as opposed to other contributing factors like genetics, aging, and weight loss.
This is especially important for me to focus on, considering the Southern California sunshine is calling my name as the beaches await.
My overall review of Bliss ® Peeling Groovy serum: It is a nice addition to my plethora of products, and helps to refresh the uneven shade of my facial skin.
Price: $65