Bra Fitting Basics and Blunders!

By Allison M. Meyers

Are you one of the reported 9 out of 10 women who are wearing the wrong sized bra?
The single most important step to creating your most flattering wardrobe is to begin with undergarments that achieve a flawless fit. Most women fall down on the job when it comes to choosing the right bra. Because no one “sees” it, they believe that no one will notice that they’re still wearing their nursing bra … or that they are wearing their sports bra … or the bra that they purchased when they were 10 pounds lighter… or that old one that is stretched, tattered and torn…
Guess what, ladies? We see it, but in an entirely different way. We see it as poor posture. We see it as unneeded weight in your belly. We see it as a lack of confidence.
I see it as the perfect opportunity to instantly improve your figure.
The most useful aspect of purchasing a great–fitting bra is that the lift and support will create the appearance of a slimmer mid-section. When bras become stretched out or lack support, the “sag” factor causes tops to cling to any minor bulge in your belly. The extra support helps shirts to “skim over” versus “cling to” parts of our midsections that women generally want to conceal.
To achieve the perfect fit, I highly recommend that you go to an experienced bra fitter. The bra-fitting expert will take your measurements, recommend your current cup and band size, and bring you some designs that she feels would be a good fit. A good bra–fitting expert fully understands her inventory and the slight differences between the designers and models. My recent personal experience in a mass-market mall lingerie store was not a pleasant one. I was incorrectly fitted and walked out after spending $50 on a 38D (I’m usually about a 36B) that could fit two ham steaks in addition to my breasts. I should have listened to my gut. Instead, I have two cups taking up too much room in my underwear drawer.

Are you wearing the best bra for you? Do you notice:
• Significant “cutting” and leaving marks for hours at the end of the day?
• The band riding up in the back?
• Stretched–out or wrinkling cups?
• The front center (between your cups) is not laying flat against your skin?
• Wires that poke into you?
• Gaps between breast and cup?
• The dreaded “Quadrupaboob”—appearing to have four breasts instead of two when wearing a fitted shirt?
A great-fitting, skin-toned bra is one of Seemless’ 15 Wardrobe Essentials. Investing a bit of time and money for a great-fitting, high–quality basic will be well worth the use and confidence you’ll get in return!
Allison M. Meyers is owner of Seemless Clothing Consulting. Seemless’ private and corporate workshops and personal consultations help local women build their most FASHIONABLE, FUNCTIONAL and ALWAYS FLATTERING wardrobe! Her “Slim Silhouette” and wardrobing tips continue to be featured on WNYT Ch. 13 News. For more information on Seemless’ services, log onto www.flatterybattery.com or call 469.1631.

Is it time for your fitting?
Seemless Complimentary Bra Fitting Clinic With local area expert, Madame Pirie Famise!
Albany, NY – RSVP required • November 19, 2007
Details at www.flatterybattery.com/schedule

5 tips to dressing slimmer

1. Properly fitting undergarments! There should be no bunching or bulging! Remember, underwear is the “foundation” of your outfit. You can have the best–fitting outfit that looks terrible due to ill-fitting undergarments

2. Dark colors help mask imperfections. This does not necessarily mean that you have to wear black from top to bottom every day! Introduce dark colors to the parts of your body that you want to conceal. Use bold patterns and colors to frame your face or introduce these elements to the parts of your body that you want to show off!

3. Mid-rise is the most flattering rise. Not only are high-waisted pants known as “MOM” jeans, but the extra fabric creates the illusion of bigger abdomens and backsides. Super-low rises not only reveal too much when we sit, but often create “muffin tops”, or overflow in your mid-section. Not a good look, even for teenagers.

4. Avoid hems that hit mid-calf. They not only look “dowdy” but they also make your legs look heavier and shorter than they are. Introduce hemlines around your knee area or ankle area (the two slimmest parts of your leg) for your longest and leanest look.

5. Think outside of the BOX. Avoid boxy blazers, cardigans, and jackets. Always look for seams on the fronts and backs of your jackets. These seams help to create a waist on those who don’t have waist definition and show off the waist of those who do!
—Allison M. Meyers

Save me Seemless!

I am a working professional who has just begun to experience the unfortunate bodily changes brought on by menopause. My already-tired wardrobe looks even worse with all of these new bags and bulges! I feel as if everything has fallen, specifically to my hips and belly. What new pieces can I invest in that will energize and flatter my currently boring and ill-fitting wardrobe?
Sincerely,
Corporate Cathy

Dear Corporate Cathy,
All I have to hear is the term “falling” and I know that it’s time for a bra fitting. Ninety percent of women wear the wrong size bra and are not optimizing their shape! Schedule a bra fitting IMMEDIATELY with your local department or lingerie store. While getting “uplifted,” pick up some new underwear that doesn’t cut into you. Look for a giving micro-fiber fabric with minimal seams and a design that fully covers your backside. This combination of factors will give you immunity from the dreaded VPL (Visible Panty Line.)

If you haven’t discovered the magic power of Spanx¨, it’s time to do so! Spanx¨ are an extensive line of body shapers that help to minimize any “bags or bulges” you may be experiencing. They come in a variety of designs and support levels designed to target the women’s common “problem” areas on her top or bottom half. They are sold in several shops locally or online at sites such as Spanx.com or QVC.com. You’ll be AMAZED at the transformation!

Now that your undergarments fit you properly, re-evaluate your professional wardrobe. Do your blazers and jackets create “good” curves or do they look too boxy? Look for blazers that have a combination of seams in the front and back, shoulders that align with yours, and fairly skinny armholes. The blazer or jacket should hit about mid-hip bone. Are your pants tapered and pleated, making you look like an upside down pear? Look for a long, flowing leg, straight from thigh to floor. Pants with a flat front that hit mid-rise are generally the most flattering. Use camisoles, scarves and fun accessories to bring some life into the outfit and the office! Warning: you may be the topic of water cooler gossip.

Enjoy the “New You!”
Sincerely,
Save me Seemless!

I am a “stay-at-home” mother of three and am continuously running from school drop-off, to baseball pick-up to PTA meetings–you get the picture! Can you recommend some essentials to have in my wardrobe that will be very comfortable, look great on me, and make me look very “put together” in my not-so-organized life?
Sincerely,
“Stay-at-Home” Sally

Dear Stay-at-Home Sally,
And who said stay-at-home Moms actually get a chance to stay home? I can see why you need to be comfortable!
The first thing you need to find is a great pair of jeans. Look for a straight leg and a medium-rise (height of waist) for the most flattering fit. Try to find a heavier jean with a bit of stretch so that you can move with your crazy lifestyle! Remember, dark–washed jeans not only make you look slimmer, but they appear much less casual than their faded counter-part.

Pair these jeans with a tailored, crisp, oxford shirt, also with a little stretch, if possible. Be sure that the shirt has a tailored waist that comes in a bit in the torso, giving you a slimmer look. There are several non-iron oxfords on the market now in a variety of price ranges that truly eliminate the need for ironing. A great alternative is a fitted tee shirt or turtleneck with a stretch corduroy blazer thrown on top. A tailored tan, black or brown corduroy blazer is a great wardrobe investment and always dresses up a pair of jeans!

Always remember that sneakers introduce a very casual look. Invest in a pair of comfortable black, tan or brown loafers with an inch or two of a thick, stacked heel. There are many shoe manufacturers that provide attractive designs for women who are on their feet all day. Don’t underestimate the power of a shoe insert! They can be found in shoe stores, drug stores and supermarkets, and can make even the most uncomfortable shoes “a Mom’s walk in the clouds!”

Good Luck, Sally!
Sincerely,
Save me Seemless!

Allison M. Meyers is owner of Seemless Clothing Consulting. Seemless’ private and corporate workshops and personal consultations help local women build their most FASHIONABLE, FUNCTIONAL and ALWAYS FLATTERING wardrobe! Her “Slim Silhouette” and wardrobing tips continue to be featured on WNYT Ch. 13 News. For more information on Seemless’ services, log onto www.flatterybattery.com or call 469.1631.

Are you ready to change your life?

Feel like there is something missing from your life? Do you ever hear yourself saying, “If only I could (make that change, loose ten pounds, had more time/money),” or “If my (spouse, child, parent, friend) would only ‘blank,’ then I’d be happy?”

For Jane Freres, it wasn’t so much an “if only” or something that was missing, but the struggle to get through a major transition period in her life. After going through a difficult divorce, she had to figure out who she was, what she wanted in life and how to be her own person.

“I spent a lot of my life working hard to take care of others, but when my kids went away to college and my marriage came to an end, I didn’t know how to take care of myself,” she says.
Freres tried working with a therapist, but that didn’t improve her situation, nor did talking to other people change the way she was feeling. Then, one day, a close friend returned home from “The Mountain Experience” and convinced her it was something she should try. “It really transformed my life,” says Freres.

The Mountain Experience, offered by The Garden Company, based in Sandpoint, Idaho, is a unique personal growth program that, over the course of five days, teaches people how to overcome the obstacles that are holding them back. The program was created 20 years ago and is taught by Kyle Mercer and Janice Lindgren, who are constantly refining the techniques and tools of the original process.

“The people who come to The Garden Company have an awareness that there is something in their lives that they would like to change. They are intent on finding a way to make that happen. Our knowledge, care and experience provide clients with the best-known tools to make it possible,” says Mercer.

Here’s how the process works: days one and two of the Mountain Experience are the self-discovery phase, during which you will get a clear and accurate picture of your current life, identifying what’s working and what’s not working. Exercises clarify if and how you are hard on yourself. You expose areas where you are not giving yourself choices, which creates a trapped, frustrated feeling. You begin to understand what’s behind difficulties in your most important relationships, and how a shift in awareness can create a more loving and fulfilling connection.

Days three and four are dedicated to learning and practicing the art of letting go of emotional baggage. When we let go of the persistent, heavy emotion from the past, which creates unhealthy patterns in our lives, we experience freedom and possibility. Letting go is a skill you will be able to use repeatedly, retain for a lifetime and teach to young children.

Day five is devoted to showing you how to take what you’ve learned and integrate it into your life, preparing you for your return home. You learn specific tools for making decisions easily, communicating effectively, leading in your career, deepening relationships and engaging in life with energy, awareness and intent.

“There are a lot of different programs that talk about personal transformation and motivation,” Mercer says. “Our effectiveness is what sets us apart. We’re unique in our capacity to teach people how to make lasting change.”

It wasn’t a personal problem that brought Dr. Michael Feldman, a dentist from Hewlett, N.Y., to the Mountain Experience, but his sense of curiosity. “I was taking a consulting course several years ago and was very intrigued by what one of the speakers, Janice Lindgren of the Garden Company had to say: ‘Some days you wake up and know it will be a bad day. Others, you wake up and know it will be a good day. How would you like to have more good days?’ That really hit home for me,” says Dr. Feldman.

So, he signed up for the course and came away with a better strategy for coping with stress, which used to run rampant in his life. “The Mountain Experience was instrumental in helping me better understand and accept myself, friends, family and coworkers, which in turn helped me create a process for eliminating the cause of stress,” he says. “Now, I know how to step back and look at things from a different perspective and I have a lot more better days.”

To learn more about The Mountain Experience and the difference it can make in your life, sign up for a free one hour personal consultation by calling (877) 554.6836 or log on to www.gardenco.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Mane concerns

By Genn Shaughnessy

Two years ago at my regular trip to the hair salon, I wanted a change, a big change to match all the changes in my life: new house, new job, new man, new life. A new stage of my career meant shaking hands with influential people in the beauty & fashion industry, a world where appearance is everything.

My long, straight, blonde hair needed some sculpting and variation in color to add some depth and I attempted communicating an inverted bob to my stylist. Somehow the invert ended up being severe and I looked like a boy with a bowl cut from behind. The results were devastating and after nearly two years, it has just grown back to a length I was finally happy with.

Once again, at a recent trip to the salon, my stylist chopped off four inches of my hair in an instant. All I asked for were baby snips to cut off the dead ends. Eight months worth of growth gone by a scissor-happy stylist who didn’t listen to what I was communicating.

Needless to say, these instances (and many other previous negative hair experiences) have caused me to obsess over my hair and seek amazing regimens to promote healthy hair, increase the speed of growth and ease the pain a wee bit in the meantime.

And now I’m here to help you! Below are some common hair questions and concerns, as well as some tips and tricks of the trade, along with some product suggestions to help keep you—and your hair—happy.

Q: How often should I wash my hair? I always feel so dirty when I don’t, but it feels so dry when I do it everyday.
A: It is not necessary to wash your hair daily; it’s actually bad for your hair. You need natural oils in your hair in order for it to be shiny and healthy. When you wash your hair, it strips them of this. Try reducing it to 3 or 4 times a week, then down to 1 or 2 times a week. Whenever you do wash, be sure to condition after. If your hair is oily, try putting conditioner on the middle of the hair shaft and not directly at the roots.
Pro Tip: Comb or brush hair BEFORE you wash it. It’s better for your hair to comb through it dry, rather than wet. It stretches too far and breaks off when it’s wet.
Product: OJON Ultra Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner. www.ojon.com
Frederic Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Shampoo & Conditioner www.fredericfekkai.com
@ Sephora Colonie Center www.Sephora.com

Q: What can I do for my hair to stop it from being so frizzy and dry?
A: Dry or oily hair are both in need of some regulation. Ph balance can be off even in hair and can cause an increase in oil production, which causes hair to be very greasy. Chemical processes can be very dry and damaging to the hair, causing it to frizz and even snap. Oil can be reduced by using a clarifying or detoxifying shampoo. Damage and dryness can be treated with a deep conditioning treatment and/or mask.
Pro Tip: Rub nickel-sized amount of product in your palms and apply to the ends of hair first, working your way up to the roots. This will help prevent hair from getting flat and not having a lot of volume.
Product: Phyto Phytojoba & Phyto 7
@ Sephora Colonie Center www.Sephora.com or Sanctuary Spa in Saratoga Springs.

Q: What causes damage in hair and how can I protect my hair from it?
A: Heat is the enemy to healthy hair. Ensure its safety under blow dryers and flat irons, with a thermal treatment before you begin using them. They conveniently come in sprays for quick fix spritzes and creams for those of you who prefer to work it in. They help protect and prevent from damage and ensure a more professional, finished look.
Pro Tip: Apply thin layers of product to hair so as to not weigh the hair down.
Product: Keune Care line, Blow Heat Protectant www.keune.com/products
Organix Vanilla Silk, Soft & Silky Vanilla Blow Dry Cream and Silk Serum www.organixhair.com

Q: My hairstylist suggested I buy a professional hair dryer. What’s the difference between my hair dryer and a professional one? It seems pricy. Is it really worth the money?
A: The difference is HUGE, and not just in the bill of sale. Most hair dryers are 1,875 watts and they take longer to dry, make hair frizzy and tend to be very heavy. Professional hair dryers tend to be 2,000 watts or higher, dry hair upwards of 70% faster, are much lighter, more streamlined and easier to hold and style with. The technology is a much higher quality all around in a professional hair dryer. In just one use you will notice a tremendous difference. The same goes for flat irons as well.
Pro Tip: Turn head upside down and blow dry the root first to give extra volume and lift. Then turn head back upright and blow dry hair down to help straighten out the hair shaft.
Product: T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer & Flat Irons www.t3hair.com
@ Sephora Colonie Center or www.Sephora.com

Q: What can I do with hair extensions? Who would they be good for?
A: Hair extensions are so popular and for good reason. They are great for anybody who wants to add length, texture and volume to their existing hair.
For a temporary once-in-awhile fix, try 100% Human Hair clip in extensions, like Tress Allure. They are made up of different widths to fit different parts of the head and are an easy addition to your wardrobe. Simply match up the hair to the correct width of your head. Divide it up into sections and give about an inch height between pieces.
Pro Tip: Match up the wig clip to the part of your hair it’s being applied to, tease that section of hair and spray with hairspray. This will keep the extensions from sliding out of your hair and will make them last longer.
Product: Tress Allure Clip In Extensions www.tressallure.com
@ First Impressions, Colonie www.NewhairToWear.com
To semi-permanently add the same effect without the hassle of the application every day, consider getting So. Cal. USA protein-bonded human hair extensions. They can last up to six months and can be styled and maintained just like your natural hair. It can be instant gratification for anyone who is overly self-conscious of the length of their hair without the painstaking months it takes to grow it out. Get more than just longer hair, get your confidence back! Available in many natural and fun colors and combinations, there is something for everyone – even if you are so daring as to add in blue, pink or purple.
Pro Tip: Follow instructions exactly as provided by hair stylist and only use suggested products.
Product: So.Cap.Usa www.socapusa.com
www.yourextensions.com; 800.428.8788

For a complete consultation call Rumors Salon in Latham at 786.1777; www. rumorsinc.com.

Renowned Make-Up Artist Genn Shaughnessy is a broadcast personality, make-up artist & beauty expert. She has a regular beauty segment on FOX23 News Daybreak and has worked with national and international photographers & talent, including Carrie Underwood, Leslie Segrete, Constantine Maroulis, The US Women’s Hockey Team and NYS Governor Elliot Spitzer. She can be reached by email at: Genny@DarkShadowsMedia.com or visit www.DarkShadowsMedia.com.

A woman’s guide to staying healthy through the holidays

The holidays are for celebrating faith, family and friends, but they can also be extremely taxing. To successfully navigate from Thanksgiving through the New Year, you have to maximize your time, health and energy. With some forethought you can avoid common pitfalls that can sap your energy and make for a less than joyous season.

• Eating Right : Family recipes are part of our fondest holiday memories, so of course you’re going to splurge. But, you don’t have to abandon all your sensibilities. A healthy diet has benefits far beyond maintaining your figure.

• Energy and Mood: Overindulging in the wrong foods can cause blood sugar fluctuations, which lead to mood swings, fatigue and poor concentration. Try to integrate lean protein and healthy carbohydrates into your diet and avoid too much sugar at once.

• Sleeping Well: According to the Better Sleep Council, sleep is necessary to absorb the day’s learning and reenergize the body. Maximize your restfulness by finishing eating two to three hours before bedtime and avoiding alcohol late at night, which can lead to fragmented sleep.

• Your Overall Health: Poor nutrition can lower your immunity to illness. The typical American diet is deficient in a variety of nutrients including calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and holiday eating can be even less balanced. The best way to get your vitamins is through food, but a daily supplement is advisable if your diet is lacking.

• Getting Active: One of the first things people sacrifice is their workout time. You may not be able to make your favorite step class, but that doesn’t mean you can’t exercise. Wear comfortable shoes and take every opportunity to park far away, walk up the escalator or double-time it up the stairs. Regular exercise does more than keep your heart healthy:

• Improve Concentration: Exercising speeds blood flow through the brain, helping to flush waste products that can cause a foggy feeling and improve deeper thinking by bringing extra nutrients to the brain.

• Deflect Stress: Physically active individuals have a less extreme physiological response to pressure. A chemical released in the brain during exercise is believed to help the body mend itself from the effects of stress, which can otherwise bring about depression, trouble sleeping or overeating.

• Ease Menstrual Cramps: Regular physical activity often reduces cramping by raising levels of beta endorphins, the chemical in the brain associated with pain relief.

Despite our best efforts, it’s inevitable that some of us will have to deal with health issues during the Holidays. Here’s the best way to tackle the most common assailants:
The Flu — Each winter, 20 to 50 percent of the US population comes down with this highly contagious virus.

• If you can’t eat, try getting nourishment from soup. Electrolyte drinks are also good options. Liquids are especially important, as fevers cause the body to lose fluids.

• Over-the-counter medicines may help to relieve your symptoms. But, be aware that medicines that suppress fevers can prolong the course of the infection.

• Influenza makes the body more susceptible to other illnesses, so if your symptoms aren’t clearing up or you get sick again right away, you may have a secondary infection. See your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Yeast Infections — Although most women don’t discuss them, 75 percent are affected by them. Sugar and alcohol, abundant during the holidays, can help Candida yeast proliferate, triggering yeast infections.
• Most yeast infections can be treated by over-the-counter medicines. For example, Nature’s Cure makes unique 1-Day and 3-Day Yeast Infection Convenience Packs that come with both a vaginal treatment to relieve discomfort and all-natural homeopathic tablets to treat the infection internally at its source.

• If you can’t avoid the common triggers — antibiotic usage, stress, poor diet and hormonal changes — you may need to be more proactive. L. acidophilus probiotics, found in yogurt or supplements, keep your system in check competing with other organisms for glucose. Nature’s Cure Yeast Control Capsules combine both L. acidophilus and homeopathic medicine to stimulate your body’s natural defenses to maintain a healthy balance.

• See your doctor if the OTC treatment doesn’t work — you may have mistaken a bacterial infection or some other ailment for a yeast infection.

Keep these healthy living strategies in mind and you’ll be better able to cope with all that comes your way. If you do become overwhelmed, try to reduce the expectations you’ve placed on yourself and simplify your tasks. Don’t lose sight of the true meaning of the holiday season and enjoy your blessings.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Turning back time

Non-invasive procedures

By Francesca Bruno

Perhaps you’ve been curious as to what’s out there to help you age more gracefully, but have been opposed to the idea of anyone coming near you with a gas mask, variety of pointy tools, and a lengthy bill. Forget that whole “Beauty is pain; pain, beauty” mantra. Below are some of the top non-invasive procedures being performed today.

Plastic Injections
Botox, or botulism toxin, is one of the most powerful poisons known and was first used over 10 years ago in treating diseases of the muscle of the eye. While collagen and other filler substances are used to fill in permanent lines in the skin, Botox, by paralyzing the muscle, works in treating lines caused by the movement of muscles in the underlying skin. Botox has proved effective at reducing lines of the forehead, crow’s feet and the furrows in the forehead and frown lines between the eyes. Recently, the use of Botox has been extended for use in relaxing muscle bands in the neck and lines around the mouth. “When done well, the result is a more rested, relaxed, yet natural appearance,” said Dr. Lucie Capek, a plastic surgeon in Latham. “The key is not to over-treat— facial expressions should still look normal. This is a very safe procedure with few side effects.”

Chemical Peel
Chemical peels have been used in dermatology and plastic surgery for many decades. These peels can be classified as either light, medium-depth, or deep. Light peels are sometimes referred to as the “lunchtime peel,” in which a patient can be treated by the physician on a lunch break. Generally, a buffered hydroxy acid peel of different concentrations is applied to the skin, sometimes in combination with different agents such as salicylic acid. Depending on the particular combination used, the patient will only experience very slight or moderate redness. Medium-depth peels are stronger and can take a week or more for recovery. The deepest peels will take several weeks for recovery. Before undergoing a deep peel, the patient should ask the physician to explain the risks, which could include scarring and the benefits.

Collagen Treatment
Collagen injections have been used for many years to improve facial lines and acne scars. Because three percent of the population manifests an allergic reaction to collagen, it is necessary to pre-test a patient with collagen beforehand. This is performed by injecting a small amount into the skin of the undersurface of the forearm and observing the patient. According to Dr. Capek, “today’s fillers include much longer-lasting choices, such as hyaluronic acid fillers (i.e. Restylane and Juvéderm), calcium-based fillers (i.e. Radiesse) and even a recently FDA-approved permanent filler called Artefill. This wide range of products allows [doctors] to customize treatments to the unique needs of each patient.”

Laser Resurfacing
A specific laser wavelength and energy level enables the laser surgeon to operate through small incisions when performing endoscopic brow and face lifts or resurfacing sun-damaged and wrinkled skin. Lasers are also used for hair transplantation, removal of unwanted hair, the destruction of facial blood vessels and small varicose veins and capillaries of the legs and destroying tattoos and freckles. Lasers can be tricky, as with hair removal. “The laser light is attracted and absorbed by the color in the follicle, so this treatment is not effective on white or very blond hair,” warns Dr. Capek. “[But] the laser light should not damage the surrounding skin and newer lasers can be used on all shades of skin. Usually at least five to six treatments are needed to get an 85 to 95 percent reduction in hair growth.” And laser skin resurfacing might require some “homework,” especially when it comes to choosing the right treatment. “Ask questions, look at pictures and try to get an honest idea of how much improvement you can expect,” advises Dr. Capek. “Combining laser treatments with Botox or fillers can also significantly enhance the overall results.”

Dermabrasion and micro-dermabrasion
Dermabrasion was introduced in the late 1940s. It consists of the use of a wire brush rotating at a high speed, going over a skin surface which has been frozen with a local refrigerant spray. Although it only causes a somewhat mild burning sensation, dermabrasion has, to a large degree, been replaced by laser resurfacing because of the amount of bleeding produced during the procedure. However, micro-dermabrasion, which has become very popular within the last few years, uses small particles (usually aluminum oxide or sodium chloride crystals), which are delivered to the skin under positive pressure, causing a superficial sanding of the face. The effect produced by micro-dermabrasion is much more superficial than either laser or dermabrasion, but has the advantages of being essentially painless.

Thermage/ThermaCool Facelift
Completely non-invasive, this system uses radiofrequency to lift cheeks, face and brow areas with only topical anesthetic and no lengthy surgical process. The radio waves emitted by the ThermaCool machine tighten facial muscles and promote new collagen growth for added spring and firmness to skin. The ThermaCool process is FDA-approved and has been proven to visibly improve crows-feet, wrinkles and fine lines. This procedure is relatively stressless and has very little recovery time, if any.

ThreadLift
This non-invasive technique uses sutures and surgical threads to sculpt and lift droopy areas. Threads run beneath the skin and are inserted under local anesthesia. The threads and sutures cannot be seen or felt, and results last for three to five years. In addition, recipients of the ThreadLift can return to their plastic surgeon for adjustments and “tune-ups” for continued lift. The procedure takes about an hour and, though there is some risk for bruising or swelling, the recovery time is only a few days.