HOW TO IMPROVE SKIN TEXTURE

Over time, the texture of our skin naturally changes. Hydration, collagen and elastin are all important factors for smooth, soft, young-looking skin. When hormones, pollution and lifestyle come into play, they can diminish these key factors, causing dramatic changes in how your skin feels. I’ve listened to some of your most common complaints about your skin’s texture and have some answers on how to treat it.


Does your skin feel thin and look translucent? Collagen loss tends to cause the skin to become thin. And it’s especially prevalent in fairer skin tones. How do you treat it? “A combination of fillers and collagen-stimulating lasers, like eMatrix, Portrait PSR and fractionated CO2 lasers, is best for plumping up thin skin. The skin needs to be built up from underneath, as well as stimulated on the surface.


Does your skin feel dry and dehydrated? Dry, dehydrated skin is a common change that comes along with aging, since moisture levels drop and water is lost. Diminished blood circulation, harsh ingredients, moisture stripping products, and less-active oil and sweat glands can all lead to dryness. Try treating it by restoring moisture with deep hydrating creams and masks. A consultation with our skincare advisor will put you on the right track. Also, hyaluronic acid fillers (which bind moisture to the skin) such as Juvederm, Restylane-L and Perlane-L may minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles and reintroduce moisture to the skin.


Does your skin feel rough and weathered? Rough, weathered, leathery-looking skin is the price we pay for spending years in the sun. It damages the skin by causing inflammation, in turn making it look and feel thick. Weathered skin is usually laden with deep wrinkles, too. Protect your skin from the sun with a mineral based sunscreen every day. Prevent further damage to weathered skin with antioxidative and reparative topical products (we love our Tanne MD Medical Grade Skincare), and fractional resurfacing (such as eMatrix) or pulsed light treatments (such as Fotofacial RF) to stimulate collagen production.


Does your skin feel like sandpaper? Skin that feels like sandpaper often has a dull and muddy complexion. Dull skin is caused by a buildup of dead skin that stays on the surface for long periods of time. It’s important to rev up the skin’s natural shedding process to remove dead skin and expose fresh skin. A retinol product such as our Night Defense or a prescription topical retinoid, Chemical Peels (we love the Apeele Peel), laser treatments, SilkPeel™ DermalInfusion and DiamondTip™ Microdermabrasion can increase cell turnover.

Mother-in-Law Makeovers Are a Hot Cosmetic Trend

Brides and bridesmaids aren't the only ones who shine in the spotlight at weddings. The mothers of the bride and groom also fall under the scrutiny from wedding guests, high-definition photography and videography. Anyone who has watched TLC's popular cable show Say Yes to the Dress knows that her child's wedding day is a huge event in a mother's life. Mothers of the happy couple put countless hours of time and effort into finding the ideal dress and perfecting their own wedding look. Now the latest trend in cosmetic medicine – cosmetic makeovers for mothers of the bride and groom. Dubbed "Mother-in-Law Makeovers," these cosmetic enhancements are designed to help wedding moms look their best on their children's big day.

Mother-in-Law Makeovers ensure that moms feel comfortable with their appearance and look fabulous in high-definition wedding photos and videos. Like Mommy Makeovers that help new moms regain their pre-pregnancy shape, Mother-in-Law Makeovers are individually tailored to meet the specific goals of each individual woman. During your customized consultation, Dr. Tanne addresses your areas of concern so that you feel confident, beautiful and picture-perfect on the day of the wedding. Many moms choose to refresh their face with non-invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers for a Liquid Facelift, which elicit amazing but natural looking results. Laser treatments and chemical peels give the skin a refreshed, rejuvenated, smooth look. Body shaping with VelaShape is a common procedure chosen by moms who want to look slim and elegant in their dresses.

When considering a Mother-in-Law Makeover, talk to Dr. Tanne well in advance about when to schedule treatments. For a quick fix, injectible fillers are a fantastic option to have you looking your best before the wedding. You may just need a little bit of Botox or dermal filler to smoothen out any wrinkles or get rid of the dark circles under the eyes and some laser treatments to give your face a glowing look. Please allow at least 3 weeks before the wedding for Botox and fillers, to avoid any chance of lingering bruising or swelling on the wedding day, and to ensure that you get the results you desire. For this once in a lifetime event, you want to put your best face forward for photos that will capture your beauty and immortalize this joyous occasion forever!

We want your skin to be glowing for the special wedding day that will be cherished in photographs forever. At Cosmetic Laser MD we recommends that you use products with active ingredients to achieve smoother, radiant skin. To achieve results, medical grade skincare products that can only be found in a physician's office, such as own Tanne MD Medical Grade Skincare, are recommended. In addition, Facials, DiamondTip Microdermabrasion, and SilkPeel treatments should be performed closer to the wedding day. We are confident that you will achieve smoother, radiant skin for your special day.

With so many cosmetic options available to you, go ahead and treat yourself to a rejuvenated, younger, radiant look and make a lasting impression for everyone to admire.

Celebrity Cosmetic Surgery Red Carpet Secrets Revealed

With the Oscars a distant memory, the only question that now remains is – how do the celebrities get themselves so PERFECT before they walk the red carpet?

After all, millions of eyes and flashbulbs capturing every move on the red carpet, and with it, any flaw that dares to bulge, spot or wrinkle on the world's most glamorous stage.

“Though we did not treat any Oscar-hopefuls this year, we have certainly seen our share of Broadway, television and movie personalities here at Cosmetic Laser MD,” says Susan Stevens Tanne MD.

“There are a variety of nonsurgical 'quick fixes' that have little or downtime that I can choose from to make them look good. Celebrities have always been at the forefront of using these kinds of treatments, because of the pressure to constantly look good for public appearances," Tanne adds.

Ideally, patients come in a few weeks before their big day to assess their concerns, and put together an action plan of what is often a variety of touch-up procedures to tighten skin and give it a glow.
So what kind of fixes are celebs clamoring for? Here’s a list of the top most requested pick-me-ups.

FAT SHRINKAGE
When you've got to slip into a sexy body-baring gown, Spanx can only work so many miracles. In addition to supportive undergarments, celebs turn to the VelaShape contouring system to trim a few more inches of fat.

“VelaShape is the most effective non-invasive body contouring system out there, and I’ve used them all,” Tanne notes. “We used to have Zerona, but it was not giving us the result we wanted. Our patients are thrilled with VelaShape. It’s what the Kardashians use to stay in camera-ready cellulite-free shape.

Patients often combine the VelaShape with their already aggressive pre-Oscars routine combination of a light diet and exercise for best results.

CHEST EXPRESS
Strapless and low-cut gowns may look simply stunning on the red carpet, but they also put a laser focus on areas where many women feel self-conscious about the pull of gravity: décolleté. Years of sun worshipping sometimes takes its toll on the upper chest, which is spotlighted when wearing a strapless gown.

A few sessions with our FotoMatrix laser treatment eradicates sun damage, reduces fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. It’s like an eraser for the delicate upper chest area, and a real age re-winder.

BROWN SPOTS
Pigmentation changes are one of the most common aging concerns, and celebs aren't immune. Most say they're especially self-conscious about spots on the face, cleavage and back of the hands.

Entirely eliminating brown spots takes multiple treatments or more invasive procedures like deep chemical peels that require downtime, and can't be done merely days before a big event. Powerful lasers may zap problematic spots into oblivion, but they form a scab that must naturally flake off on its own, or else risk scarring.

However, a variety of noninvasive treatments like microdermabrasion and non-ablative lasers can be combined like a cocktail to significantly lighten spots in as little time as a week before the big day.

For maintenance, a regular patient may first go through the regimen of four to six sessions to undo sun damage on the skin, and then maintain with follow-up sessions once every season.

FILLERS AND BOTOX
Botox is often used before an event to eliminate crow’s feet, forehead lines, and other fine lines and wrinkles. It is easily our best “quick fix” and our patients are thrilled with the lineless, youthful results they can achieve.

Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are most often shot into the lips for a fuller look, or to erase aging marionette lines. Radiesse is a firmer filler, and is often used in the cheeks for more support. While typical fillers last a few months, firmer versions like Radiesse can often stay in place for up to a year.

Sold by the syringe, most patients require two syringes of filler for an area like deep laugh lines, or one syringe for the lips. Prices can vary dramatically depending on volume needed.

When it comes to Botox and fillers, you have to be careful to treat at least a week before an event, just in case there’s any surface bruising. It is difficult to anticipate whether or not a person will bruise, but eliminating blood thinners like aspirin helps.

We encourage our patients to consult with us at least six weeks before their red-carpet moments so that we can put together a customized treatment plan. As always, our professional make-up artist can also get you "Photo Perfect" and completely erase any flaws before your event.

Ah, yes -- that's the magic of Hollywood.