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Have a question? Email your question to letters1@elevatemagazine.com or fax us at 416-869-3008. Questions may be edited for clarity and/or length and may be published in an upcoming issue of Elevate.
QUESTION:
No matter how much I exercise, I can't seem to shake the cellulite in my thighs. Help!!
ANSWER:
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.
Dr. Vera Madison:
january+february 2010 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
How will pregnancy affect my teeth?
ANSWER:
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.
Dentist Dr. Vasant Ramlaggan:
january+february 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
What is fat grafting and can it help add volume to my face?
ANSWER:
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.
Dr. Andres Gantous, a Toronto- based facial plastic surgeon
september+october 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
Is there a filler on the market that has minimal bruising? I don't like the swelling and visible after-effects I sometimes experience when I've had my lips filled.
ANSWER:
I've used a variety of fillers but at this point in time Evolence Breeze is by far the best for lip augmentation, has a beautiful esthetic result and can last up to a year. It's my filler of choice for a couple of reasons: first, it has very beautiful flow characteristics, meaning it goes in smoothly. It also allows me to be artistic and sculpt the lip while filling it with volume. A very fine-gauge needle is used to inject Evolence Breeze smoothly, and using this needle means the chances of bruising are minimal. Pain is also not an issue during the treatment or after, provided a dental block is used properly while the product is injected.
Dr. Lorne Tarshis, MD, FRCSC, FACS, a cosmetic surgeon in Toronto
may+june 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
Should I modify the types and amounts of vitamin supplements that I take during the summer months due to heat and humidity, increased fresh fruit and veggie intake and a more active lifestyle?
ANSWER:
A. The need for vitamin/mineral supplements depends on age, health conditions and eating habits, not the season. In regard to vitamin D, Health Canada recommends adults 50+ take 400 IU daily year-round. While our bodies make vitamin D when exposed to sun, use of sunscreen counteracts this ability. And heat and humidity increases our fluid needs. Reach for 8 to 10 cups of liquids daily such as water, milk and iced herbal teas. Active individuals need even more fluids to replenish water lost through perspiration, so drinking two cups of water for each hour of activity is a helpful guideline.
Jodi Robinson, RD, a registered dietitian in Toronto
may+june 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
What's the best way to keep my grey hair but still look current?
ANSWER:
I recommend cutting your hair shorter and getting a great modern and sexy shape so your colour looks even. There are colour enhancements that you can still experiment with; semi-permanent glazes are a wonderful way to get back softness and not alter your natural colour. A beautiful pearl base can remove any yellowing that can happen with age. Embrace your natural hair, but be ready for a new routine, including more frequent hair brushing as a lack of pigment creates wiryness. A boar bristle brush retains the scalp's natural oils and stimulates circulation.
Eva Scrivo, Wella lead colourist at New York Fashion Week
may+june 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I have researched IPL and learned that each pulse emitted is a mix of two frequencies of light: one picks up melanin, the other oxyhemoglobin. Is it possible to manipulate the machine so that its ability to pick up one or both of these skin pigments is reduced? I am wondering if the machines at my clinic have been tampered with since the laser does not produce the same dramatic results as I have seen elsewhere.
ANSWER:
IPL photofacial rejuvenation treatments are very successful in treating sun damage, shrinking large pores, eliminating broken capillaries, pigments and fine lines and stimulating collagen production. The frequency settings and calibrations of this sophisticated technology are designed to deliver energy to the skin in a safe and effective fashion. A reputable clinic should not be manipulating the settings or tampering with the computerized workings of the machines. This is a hazardous practice that may compromise the
machine's ability to deliver energy without complication. If you're not happy with your results, perhaps you should make sure you're scheduling IPL photofacial treatments at a reputable medical clinic.
Dr. William Middleton, B.Sc., MD, FRCSC, a Toronto-based plastic surgeon
march+april 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I'd like to get liposuction to remove fat from my love handles but is it really the best procedure to ensure they don't return?
ANSWER:
A. Liposuction is an ideal treatment for back
fat and love handles. Liposuction removes the majority of fat cells completely so if you are eating well, the results should be permanent. Smartlipo is a form of liposuction that uses a laser to achieve the same results with a shorter downtime, less bruising and skin tightening. I find we achieve better results in these back areas due to the added benefit of skin tightening.
Dr. Douglas Grace, B.Sc., MD, FRCSC, a cosmetic surgeon at The Grace Clinic, Burlington, Ont.
march+april 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
With the risk of frostbite during winter months, how soon after I receive a facial procedure should I brave the outdoors?
ANSWER:
It would be reasonable to not have your surgery during the winter months as it is well documented that extreme temperatures adversely affect wound healing, especially the cold. If there are circumstances influencing the timing of your operation, I advise you to avoid being outdoors for any long periods of time for six weeks following surgery and then use special precautions while outdoors. Your tissue sensitivity may be decreased for a number of months, and you would not be aware of damage that may be occurring such as frostbite.
Dr. K. Conrad, MD, FRCS, FRCSC, FACS
Nasal & Facial Plastic Cosmetic Surgery
Institute & Laser Centre, Toronto, ON
january+february 2009 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
Is there a treatment that’ll help my décolleté look its best in party dresses this season?
ANSWER:
Pearl laser ablation is a half-hour-long procedure that requires three to four days of social downtime -meaning you might not want to do it the day before Christmas - but it stimulates collagen growth, evens out skin tone, removes coloured blemishes and tightens skin. And, it continues to improve the appearance of the skin for up to eight weeks post-treatment.
Dr. Ernest Hajscar, MD, PhD, B.Sc., B.Ed., EH New Medical Laser Aesthetics, Burlington, Ont.
november+december 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
No matter how much I try, I somehow always tend to overindulge in rich foods over the holidays. I’m thinking about trying a detox, but is it better to do this before or after the holiday season?
ANSWER:
Detoxes are a way of resetting your system and often help to alleviate physical symptoms related to food sensitivities/allergies or liver and gastrointestinal congestion. Frequently, moods and energy improve.
I would not recommend detoxing before the holidays, as holiday indulgences will be counter-productive and may also aggravate your system. This is because you become more sensitive to threatening foods and chemicals after completing a detox. This is a good thing, because your body should know naturally to reject things that do not nourish it.
– Makoto Trotter, B.Sc (Hons), ND, a naturopath based in Toronto.
november+december 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I went to a dermatologist to have two deep scars improved with an injectible filler. Now I’m freaking out. After he did this, a blister formed at the injection site and then I had light scabbing for two weeks. Two months have passed and the result is another scar on the bridge of my nose, deeper than the ones he attempted to remove!
ANSWER:
Filling certain scars with an injectable product such as collagen, hyaluronic acid or a permanent filler is a good option. The injectable is placed deep into the scar and requires an experienced injector. This flattens the scar although some depression always remains. Blisters following injectable use can result from a variety of reasons, which can only be diagnosed clinically. Although a “blister” resulted with the filler, I still think trying an injectable again is reasonable and your best option.
Dr. James Lacey, MD, CM, FRCSC, a plastic surgeon based in Kanata, Ont.
november+december 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
Q. With the plethora of skincare products on the market, I feel overwhelmed. I want to take care of my skin, since I’m in my 50s, but I don’t want to go through seven steps every night. Is there a skincare line that’s simple yet effective?
ANSWER:
A. RevaleSkin is a three-step system that cleanses, protects and revitalizes skin by incorporating CoffeeBerry extract, a natural antioxidant that naturally prevents and rejuvenates damage caused by free radical exposure and oxidative stress. The cleanser cleans, smooths and refreshes skin; the day cream contains SPF 15 to protect against sun damage; the night cream revitalizes your skin while you sleep. RevaleSkin works on three levels: reduces wrinkles and fine lines, brown spots and redness.
– Dr. Marc DuPere, MD, CM, FRCSC, a Toronto-based plastic surgeon
july+august 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
Q. The veins in my hands are becoming prominent and making me feel old even though I’m in my early 40s. Is there a way to make these veins less noticeable?
ANSWER:
Visible veins on the back of the hand are very common as you age, especially in the dominant hand. Dilated veins also appear following trauma and with the development of arthritis. Regardless of their cause, these are easily treated by either injecting a filler material to camouflage the veins or by removing the vein itself.
Filler material, including endogenous fat, is desirable when there is loss of volume or if deformity is present. Poly-L lactic acid injections, such as Sculptra, are also an excellent choice if aging and loose skin cause hand veins to be more visible. This treatment, however, is not yet approved in Canada. By far the best treatment is removing the offending veins by microsurgery or sclerotherapy.
Microsurgery is performed under local anesthesia through 2-mm incision punctures. Sclerotherapy requires no anesthesia and consists of injecting a substance that will ultimately destroy the veins
through a controlled inflammatory process. Both methods require five to seven days of recovery and should be performed by experts in the management of venous disorders.
– Dr. Louis Grondin, MD, MBA, FACPh, medical director of the Cosmetic Laser & Vein Centre in Calgary
july+august 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I’m a 47-year-old woman and have noticed that my hair is starting to thin in areas. I’m worried that I’m going bald. What are my options to stop this?
ANSWER:
Several factors could be contributing to your hair loss. An assessment by a dermatologist is the best way to determine and treat any underlying causes, such as thyroid suppression, low levels of blood iron, hormonal changes, diabetes, blood pressure or blood thinning medications, genetics, traction alopecia (pulling out hair) and alopecia areata. Treatment may also include long-term use of topical solutions or low-level laser light. If hair-replacement surgery is recommended, then a competent surgeon should be consulted.
–
Dr. Lawrence Fremont, B.Sc., MD, president and chief surgeon, Physicians’ Hair Loss Clinics
may+june 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
Is there a way of taking inches off my thighs without undergoing traditional liposuction and its lengthy recovery time?
ANSWER:
The Lapex 2000 LipoLaser is a revolutionary device that has just been launched in Canada. It is a safe, painless and non-invasive laser targeting spot fat reduction and overall inch loss. This innovative technology allows users to refine and reshape problem areas without having to go undergo traditional liposuction. The procedure takes about 40 minutes and typically patients lose a ½ to 1 inch per treatment. The cost for one treatment is approximately $250 and we recommend a series of eight treatments to see optimal results. There is no down time after the treatment and the procedure is absolutely painless. Patients can resume normal activity immediately after the treatment and there is no swelling, bruising, or inflammation. This treatment is ideal to help you get that beach beautiful body you’ve been looking for in as little as four weeks.
Dr. David Yawrenko, D.C., D. Ac, N.D., a naturopathic doctor in Edmonton
may+june 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I’m 46 and in great shape, but after having three kids I’d like breast augmentation to return my breasts to some semblance of what I once was. My husband is vehemently opposed to me getting the procedure, feeling it’s a reflection on him. He likes my breasts and doesn’t understand why that isn’t good enough for me. I’ve run out of ways to explain to him it’s not about him – it’s about me and the way I feel about myself. What else can I say?
ANSWER:
I think your reasons for wanting breast augmentation are the right ones. You’re doing it for yourself. A wrong reason would be if you were doing it for your husband. One of the most common requests I receive is from women who desire rejuvenating procedures for their breasts or abdomen once they’ve finished having children. While some may feel cosmetic surgery is superficial, I can attest that in many cases my patients report a profound effect on their lives, including their self-confidence, sociability, intimacy and life satisfaction. The best approach could be to get your husband more involved in the decision-making process. Ask him to keep an open mind before he commits to a conclusion. Perhaps if he attends a consultation with you, is allowed to ask questions and gets a first-hand explanation of the procedure, benefits, risks and results, he would be more inclined to give you an objective opinion, rather than an emotional one.
Dr. Jerome Edelstein, MD, FRCSC, a plastic surgeon in Toronto
may+june 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I have bad pit marks on my cheeks from teenage acne. I’ve tried microdermabrasion and it seemed to help a bit, but once I stopped it just came back. Is there something else I can do to make my skin smoother – permanently?
ANSWER:
There are a number of modalities that can improve acne scars permanently. These include dermal fillers (such as Artesense) and laser therapy. The most recent of these, the Fraxel laser, has the ability to improve scars by stimulating the production of new collagen. The treatment is relatively painless and responses are seen after a minimum of four treatment sessions done at four- to six-week intervals.
– Dr. William McGillivray, MD, FRCPC, and Dr. Jason Rivers, MD, FRCPC, dermatologists at Pacific Dermaesthetics in Vancouver
march+april 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I’ve read about many skin-tightening lasers for the face and am wondering if these can these be used on saddlebags to tighten skin instead of using liposuction?
ANSWER:
The technology involving tightening of skin gets better with each passing month, but some remain better for the skin while others are better for the body. Although I have experience using the Titan on abdominal stretch marks and flabby arms, I often use skin-tightening lasers in conjunction with liposuction. Although skin-tightening lasers are newer forms of treatment than liposuction, patients shouldn’t be afraid of considering liposuction or body lift procedures, which have been around for years, because these are tried and true, safe and effective forms of body contouring. Still, I think the most important thing you can do is see a practitioner with a wide range of experience and modalities available, so that you can find out all your options and get the best treatment that’s right for you.
– Dr. Timothy Sproule, MD, FRCSC, a Toronto-based plastic surgeon
march+april 2008 elevate magazine issue
QUESTION:
I’ve heard about the Titan for the face and would like to try it, but I’m wondering what it will do to the freckles and sun damage I already have?
ANSWER:
Unlike some lasers, which can affect melanin, Titan is infrared light, making it absorbed by water in the dermis (deep layers of the skin) rather than absorbed by the melanin of the skin, which is what gives freckles their colour. For this reason, the Titan is an ideal laser for use on all skin types. For more information about Titan, visit titanskin.com.
– Dr. Habibah Surani, MBBS, DRM, a Malaysian-trained physician in Toronto
march+april 2008 elevate magazine issue
