skin

Q. I’m in my mid–twenties, have very fair skin and have mild–to–moderate rosacea on my cheeks that I would like to get treated before my wedding this fall. What is the best care and treatment for mild–to– moderate rosacea? Is it necessary to see a dermatologist or should I see an esthetician?

A.
Consulting with a qualified medical esthetician /nurse practitioner at a medical spa or cosmetic dermatologist’s office is the most effective course of action.

According to Christine Paggos, medical consultant at Toronto’s Skin Vitality, someone with fair skin and mild–to–moderate rosacea would benefit from a photo facial, like the Foto Facial RF, an optical light and radio frequency treatment requiring no downtime that can improve the redness and flushing of rosacea by up to 90 per cent. "A minimum of five to six treatments would be required to see the most effective results," says Paggos. Prices for the Foto Facial RF range from $100 to $400 per treatment.

body

Q.

They have similar symptoms, so how can you tell whether you have a cold, the flu or winter allergies?

A. Dr. Ellen Morch, MD

Signs of allergies are: sinus pain; a runny nose; watery, itchy eyes; and sneezing. Colds display the same symptoms but also include a sore throat, coughing and sometimes fever and fatigue.
Family physician, Dr. Ellen Morch, MD, says, "With the flu, people tend to feel much more dramatically ill." The flu can look like a cold or allergies but will be accompanied by body aches and most often nausea.

Colds and flu, explains holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach Joy McCarthy, "are time limited. They run their course." Allergies linger and can last months. Also, the mucus produced in allergies tends to be much clearer than if you have a cold.

Common to all three sicknesses is that they are immune responses. Although with a cold or flu this response is the result of the body fighting off airborne viruses, with allergies the immune system produces histamine as a reaction to something in the environment, like dust, the most common winter allergen. McCarthy says the best way to prevent all of these ailments is a strong body. Try boosting your immune system this winter with vitamin C and D supplements.

body

Q. What invasive and non-invasive treatments are available to eliminate the jowls on the face?

A. Dr. Robert Sleightholm, MD, FRCSC

According to Dr. Robert Sleightholm, MD, FRCSC, there are non-invasive, minimally invasive and invasive treatments to help with the appearance of jowls.

One non-invasive procedure, Thermage, uses radiofrequency to heat the deep layers of the skin and thereby tighten the skin. Fractionated C02 lasers also work by heating tissue to promote skin tightening.

Minimally invasive procedures, like Botox injections along the jawline and the neck muscles, or hyaluronic acid fillers injected in the pre-jowl groove, also work to enhance contour.

Finally, Sleightholm adds that liposuction of the jowl is another option. A mid-face lift and neck lift, he says, elevates sagging tissue and tightens loose skin to also improve the jawline.

teeth

Q. Are hard foods like almonds a significant contributor to tooth fractures and dental attrition?

A. Dr. Euan Swan, DDS, from the Canadian Dental Association.

"I'm not aware of any data or research on whether almonds cause tooth fractures," says Dr. Euan Swan, DDS, from the Canadian Dental Association. "Although common sense would tell us that chewing hard foods puts teeth at greater risk, it's hard to specifically relate fractures to one food."Dr. Swan adds that "teeth with large fillings have a greater risk of fracturing, but the tooth can be protected with a crown." He also notes that tooth erosion occurs over a lifetime and can result from other factors, like stress. "People under stress can grind or clench their teeth and wear them against each other." He suggests relieving stress with techniques like exercise, which may help to lessen any grinding. "Dentists can also provide mouth guards that individuals can wear at night to help reduce the grind and attrition of their teeth."

face

Q. I've heard about the incision–less facelift, or "Y Lift". What is it and does it really work?

A. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yan Trokel:

Youthful facial contours are shaped like the letter "Y" where the face is wide in the eye and cheekbone region and narrow at the chin. Aging causes the arms of the "Y" to widen downward resulting in sagging skin. The solution is not to remove the skin, as with a traditional facelift, but to replenish lost volume and restore facial contour. The patient undergoes a skin–tightening laser treatment using a Refirme laser to help shrink and tighten the lower face and neck area. I then begin the Y Lift by marking the facial region and injecting a local anesthetic. An instrument is then inserted into designated areas of the face to instantly lift muscles, fat and fascia that have deflated as a result of aging. Once lifted, hyaluronic acid and Radiesse are used to hold the newly elevated tissues in place. The face is then sculpted to accent each individual's beauty, resulting in a rejuvenated under–eye area, lifted cheekbones, and a defined jaw line. The results are instantaneous, and the patient is able to resume daily activities post–procedure. The entire procedure takes under an hour and lasts up to two years, with minor touch–ups thereafter.

skin

Q. Spring might have arrived, but my skin is still suffering from the drying, dulling effects of a long, cold winter. What can I do to revamp my complexion?

A. Dr. Sheldon V. Pollock, Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Centre

Spring revival of your skin should concentrate on regaining lustre, moisture, and plumpness. My favourite products for this are Alyria Multi–Age Correction ($115) and Environ Advanced Vitamin Skin Therapy ($80 to $105), which comes in five strengths for various skin types. Also apply Alyria Hydrating Complex ($36) over other products.

In combination with these, I recommend the NeoStrata Glycolic Acid Peel ($150). It's been called the "Lunch–time Peel" because it takes 20 minutes in–clinic and involves only a few hours of redness, and occasionally a light sunburn–like peeling of the skin following treatment. I recommend peels every two to four weeks; smoother, more radiant skin begins to appear after four to six sessions.

body

Q. I've heard about something called "water liposuction." What is it and how does it work?

A. Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sean Brian Rice:

Body Jet, which was recently approved in Canada, is a new state–of–the–art liposuction technique, often referred to as water liposuction. It offers the ultimate in fat removal with minimal downtime, fast recovery and excellent results. It's a more natural, less–invasive procedure that offers many exciting new options for body contouring. This technique delivers pulses of saline fluids to gently dislodge fat for removal. The use of natural water pressure helps minimize the trauma to other structures such as blood vessels and nerves and dramatically reduces the length and pain of the procedure. And with the Body Jet, less manual pressure is needed to remove the fat, and thus a local anaesthetic can be used. Another exciting and unique benefit of this revolutionary procedure is that it offers a superior harvesting opportunity for fat transfer that allows the patient's natural fat cells to be used for other contouring purposes.

body

Q. No matter how much I exercise, I can't seem to shake the cellulite in my thighs. Help!!

A. Dr. Vera Madison:
You're not alone—more than 80 percent of women have cellulite. And it's more prevalent in women than men because women's fat cells are quite close to the surface of the skin. Insufficient water intake and genetics are factors that contribute to the development of cellulite. New laser technologies provide non-invasive and very effective treatments that break up the fat cells and mobilize water from the tissues. Laser treatments can be used to contour and reshape legs, thighs, buttocks and abdomen. Treatments take about an hour, with no downtime. Choose an experienced practitioner with an FDA-approved machine.

teeth

Q. How will pregnancy affect my teeth?

A. Dentist Dr. Vasant Ramlaggan:
Pregnancy changes your hormone balance, thus affecting the immune system and increasing blood flow to oral tissues. When bacteria such as plaque or calculus build up, your body gives an exaggerated re- sponse, and you may see swollen, bleeding gums. This could lead to more or worsened cavities if bacteria are not controlled. Good home care is very important, especially if you experience vomiting—stomach acids can damage teeth. And visit your dentist at the beginning of the pregnancy, during your second trimester and again a couple of months before or after giving birth.

face

Q. What is fat grafting and can it help add volume to my face?

A. Dr. Andres Gantous, a Toronto- based facial plastic surgeon
Volume loss to the cheeks and under the eyes is part of the aging process, and fat grafting can rejuvenate the face with natural-looking results. Fat grafting is a surgical procedure that requires general anesthetic and is much more elaborate than using a dermal filler. Fat, usually taken from the thighs or stomach, is harvested and then transferred into the recipient site. You can expect soreness and bruising for up to two weeks in the donor and recipient areas, but if you want a long-lasting effect using a natural substance, are willing to undergo a procedure, or have a history of reaction to fillers then you may be a good candidate for fat grafting.