Gentle Microdermabrasion. At-home microdermabrasion kits work to reduce the visibility of pores and fine lines. Many come with battery-operated brushes, aluminum-free scrubs, balanc- ing toners and moisturizing serums; look for natural ingredients.
Microcurrent Facial Sculpting. “Electrical stimulation forces facial muscles to do sit-ups,” says Charlene Handel, owner of Skin Fitness, Etc., in Carlsbad, California. Twenty years of experience with handheld commercial products have convinced this certified holistic esthetician that if the current can’t be felt, it isn’t doing the job. Trained by Elina Fedotova, CEO of Elina Organics and founder of the As- sociation of Holistic Skin Care Practitio- ners, Handel cautions that techniques intended to move skincare products
beyond the outermost dermal layer— such as microcurrent, cold laser, ultra- sound and LED—should be 100 percent natural and organic. “Read labels to find the USDA Organic seal and avoid subjecting skin to synthetic chemicals and ingredients that contain petroleum derivatives from crude oil; artificial fra- grances, which frequently contain toxic chemicals; and synthetic preservatives such as parabens,” she advises. The ultimate responsibility for sk- incare is our own. When a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, exfoliation, hydration and natural topical treatments are no longer keeping gravity at bay, individu- als of either gender need not hesitate to seek help from skin-care professionals.
Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings magazines.
Body Contouring Primer by Linda Sechrist
T
he ability to gently melt away body fat lies largely in the hands of a physi- cian certified to perform Food and Drug Administration-approved, non- invasive treatments. Here are three of the most common. Zerona. Developed by Santa Barbara Medical Innovations (SBMI), this cool laser technology targets the fat in isolated trouble spots, such as love handles and belly bulges. According to the company, Zerona targets adipose (fat) cells with specific, low-level wavelengths of light, causing the fat to seep out of the cells. The deflated cells result in a smaller, tighter contour. SBMI’s studies show that the fat is safely absorbed into the body’s lymphatic system and eventually metabolized by the liver. Zeltiq Coolsculpting. Used in Europe and Canada before coming to the United States, this FDA-approved approach is performed in a doctor’s office, typically under the supervision of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon; no anes- thesia or recovery time is necessary. It employs a contained suction device to cool the skin, as well as the fat beneath it, to 40 degrees. Several days later, the cooled fat cells begin to shrink. Damaged fat cells are slowly digested by the body over several months and removed through the liver. VelaShape. This non-surgical treatment for reducing cellulite combines radio frequency energy, infrared light, mechanical rollers and vacuum suction to heat and massage the shallow layers of fat that contribute to cellulite. The handheld vacuum sucks at the fatty pocket, while the infrared light heats and shrinks fat cells.
Sage Advice
According to Dr. Brian S. Biesman, director of the Nashville Centre for Laser and Facial Surgery, where he special- izes in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery, the ideal candidate for such treatments is near their ideal body weight and wants to remove unwanted fat in localized areas. He counsels, “It’s not an alternative to healthy diet or lifestyle.”
natural awakenings May 2012 25
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