Antioxidant-rich foods can help combat the natural processes that wear down your body in general and your skin in particular. Nutritionists suggest that an antioxidant-rich diet is a good choice for skin health, with broccoli, carrots, berries, whole-grain cereals and fish on your grocery list. There’s no secret ingredient or sole contributor to a “healthy skin diet,” but regularly eating well and choosing these super foods is the key.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and author of “The Wrinkle Cure,” emphasizes antioxidants in his approach to a skin-healthy diet too, and believes the ideal skin-healthy meal would include a six-ounce serving of fresh grilled salmon, a romaine lettuce salad with lemon juice and olive oil for a dressing, and fresh cantaloupe.

Fish is at the top of Perricone’s skin health list of anti-aging foods, because fatty fish contains important nutrients and Omega 3 fatty acids. He lists salmon, albacore tuna, and mackerel as great additions to any skin-healthy diet.

The bottom line is that aging is a natural process that can be influenced by what we eat, so make good nutrition a fundamental part of your efforts to look better.

According to the plaintiff, this contact, which reports say mentioned a non-compete agreement between the parties, interfered with the distribution of its new product line.

Obagi Medical Products has denied any anti-competitive conduct in the matter, and says it will vigorously defend the suit.

Competition in the skin care industry is nothing new, but it has been intensifying in recent years. The demand for anti-aging skin care products has increased over the last decade as baby-boomers have taken advantage of advances in skin care science. In fact, between 2006 and 2008, U.S. sales alone rose 13% to 1.6 billion dollars, and the trend shows no sign of weakening.

Read more about Obagi skincare products in Arlington, Texas

Q: How long has Latisse been on the market?

A: Latisse has only been on the market for about 6 months, but its related safety record as an eye drop solution spans well over 10 years.

Q: Why do I need a prescription for Latisse?

A: Latisse can result in eyelash improvement of 105% in thickness and over 25% in length. Latisse is not an over-the-counter medication. The FDA approved Latisse as a prescription medication to treat hypotrichosis, i.e. reduced amount of eyelash growth

Q: How can Latisse enhance my lashes?

A: Latisse is thought to affect the growth stage of eyelashes by increasing the duration of the growth phase while increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase.

Q: How do I use Latisse?

A: Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes nightly for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, the application can be reduced to every 2-3 days to maintain growth. Latisse is not applied to the lower eyelashes. However, during sleep some of the medication will diffuse across to these lashes increasing them as well.

Q: When will I see results?

A: Most people begin to see an increase in their lashes after about 3 or 4 weeks. By 16 weeks the lashes will have reached their full length and thickness. Discontinuation of Latisse will result in a return of the lashes to their previous state.

Q: Is Latisse expensive?

A: In Dallas, the price of a one-month supply of Latisse has been about $100 to $120.

Q: Are there Latisse alternatives that work the same way?

A: Right now, there are no comparable products on the market. Other products that claim to increase lash thickness and length are usually conditioners, which will not stimulate eyelash growth.

Related Links

• Latisse website
  
• Video: Latisse used during chemotherapy
• More about Latisse in Arlington, Texas

It’s true that some cosmetic surgeries are particularly well-suited for men, and some procedures such as Botox just make sense regardless of gender.  In the past, the most popular cosmetic surgeries for men were male breast reduction, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and hair transplants.  If there truly is a growing acceptance of male cosmetic surgery taking place, we might see that list grow to a certain extent.

The most likely area to gain popularity with men will be in skin renewal treatments.  From experience I can tell you that the majority of males don’t possess a great deal of knowledge about caring for their skin and they often neglect it.

At a recent cosmetic surgery trade show, yours truly (copywriter extraordinaire) along with our accountant Angie underwent a skin analysis using the Image Pro II Skin Analysis system.  While Angie’s skin came out clear and clean, my neglected male skin looked like a battlefield of sun damage and other imperfections.  That experience prompted me to investigate different skin care products and treatments, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other men out there have the same concerns.

• Pimples appear out of nowhere.
• Skin dries out overnight and needs re-hydration.
• Folds around the nose and deep lines in the brow appear more pronounced.

Our patients in Dallas agree – they notice differences in their skin when they’re stressed out.  If left untreated and stress continues, these signs can persist for weeks and months, even years.

Although all these issues can be resolved in time, first you have to ‘de-stress.’ Until that time comes, here are 5 professional tips to help you get by:

1. Keep your hands away from your face, stop touching and stop popping those pimples! Keep your hands busy with a pencil or squeeze one of those strengthening balls. For goodness sake, get rid of that magnifying mirror!
2. Go visit your doctor or cosmetic physician and pick up a few acne fighters.
3. Get yourself a facial, even if you’re on a budget. Treat yourself to some downtime; even bring your teenage kid in for a facial with you. A twofer! It will be therapeutic and quite relaxing for you both.
4. If you’re using benzoyl peroxide, be sure not to use it at the same time as you’re using hydroquinones or copper peptides. You can use both products, but not at the same time.  Use one in the morning and the other in the evening.
5. If you’re using high quality skin care products, try a chemical peel. Because a peel removes the built up dead skin on the surface of your face, it allows therapeutic products to penetrate and get the job done more quickly and more effectively.

The origin of Latisse is in topical prostaglandins, drugs frequently used to decrease intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma patients.  In patients who used these prostaglandins, researchers and physicians documented a ‘complication’ or side effect called “hypertrichosis,” a condition characterized by darkening, thickening, and lengthening of the eyelashes.

The Food and Drug Administration gave clearance for Allergan to market a glaucoma drug (and topical prostaglandin) called Lumigan in 2001, at which point two important precursors to Latisse occurred.

• The FDA seized over 2 million dollars worth of product from Jan Marini Skin Research Inc because the products – Age Intervention Eyelash – contained the same chemical formula as Lumigan, which had not yet been approved for cosmetic use.

• Doctors began prescribing Lumigan off-label to patients who wanted enhanced eyelashes.

After clinical trials and further research, Allergan received FDA clearance for cosmetic use of Latisse.  In one study, 278 healthy adults with minimal to moderate eyelash prominence applied Latisse or a placebo to their lash line.  The results were favorable; researchers observed “statistically significant differences in eyelash growth and resulting patient satisfaction” while only 3.6 percent experienced itchy eyes and redness, and only 2.9 percent experienced hyperpigmentation on the surrounding skin.