Losing weight, but still have trouble spots? Try CoolSculpting!

You get enough sleep, eat your vegetables and exercise on a regular basis. You’re proud of the diligence you undertake in caring for your body, and it shows! However, you still catch yourself looking back in the mirror, annoyed that your dedicated regimen has done nothing to shrink your love handles or to help you lose that last 10 pounds. You may think that surgery is your only option, but think again! Skip liposuction and other invasive surgical procedures and try CoolSculpting, an effective, non-surgical alternative.

What is it?

CoolSculpting technology is the only revolutionary, FDA-cleared method to reshape body contours. Available to both men and women, the procedure uses controlled cooling to target and kill stubborn fat cells, requiring no downtime and providing proven and long-term results. It literally freezes away those unwanted fat cells in as little as a single outpatient treatment.

How does it work?

After observing children who developed dimples from eating popsicles, Harvard University scientists Dieter Manstein, M.D., and R. Rox Anderson, M.D., developed a theory that turned into reality: Cold can selectively eliminate fat cells. This technology works by bringing the sub-dermal layer of fat to sub-zero temperatures, effectively targeting and eliminating unwanted fat cells. In the weeks following the procedure, the affected cells are naturally eliminated from the body. The procedure can be completed relatively quickly, in a lunch hour or other personal time, without any required downtime or missed work.

Who is it for?

The ideal CoolSculpting candidate has struggled with certain problem areas, in which pockets of fat resist change from diet and exercise. Common problem areas are “muffin tops,” “saddle-bags,” the inner thighs or any other area in which fat refuses to budge. CoolSculpting can give you the look you’ve wanted for years!

What are the risks?

After the simple procedure, some mild side effects may occur. Candidates may experience temporary numbness, swelling, redness, tingling, bruising and mild pain. In rare cases, as with any health procedure, there can be more serious side effects. It’s important to discuss the procedure with your doctor.

CoolSculpting is available at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates in Germantown, Tennessee, and Olive Branch, Mississippi. Advanced Dermatology is a Preferred Crystal Practice, the highest distinction held by any CoolSculpting provider in the Mid-South. For more information on CoolSculpting, visit http://www.coolsculpting.com/.

The Myths and Truths of Pinterest Skin Care Tips

If you’re on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen or re-pinned some skin care advice. But how do you know where these claims are coming from? How do you know they are legitimate? The short answer is…you don’t. Here are a few common skin care pins.

CLAIM: Heal acne scars with a scrub made of honey and carrot seed oil.

FALSE

This pin is on my myths board. Honey is a natural antiseptic, but it won’t heal scars. As pointed out in my blog post, scars are the result of a change in the skin, so they’re not easily camouflaged with home scrubs like this one.

CLAIM: Sleep on your back to help prevent wrinkles.

TRUE

Sleeping on your stomach or side can be damaging to your posture. Also, when you spend an entire night with your face buried into a pillow, you may be “pressing in” wrinkles and crevices. Sleeping on your back can also help prevent fluid buildup in your facial tissue, kicking that “puffy morning look” to the curb.

CLAIM: Mix coffee grounds, raw sugar or sea salt and massage oil to use in the shower! The scrub can help redistribute fat cells and decrease cellulite formation. It will also shrink blood vessels and reduce varicose veins.

TRUE…mostly

Nothing will cure cellulite, but caffeine and mud can take the swelling out of skin and constrict blood vessels - which decreases the appearance of lumpiness and gives the skin surface a smoother appearance when the light hits it.

CLAIM: Boil olive oil and honey, cool and comb through your hair. This is supposed to work like an at-home oil treatment and help your hair grow faster and make it super smooth.

FALSE

The truth is that the massaging motion you use to get the oil into your hair is stimulating blood flow to the scalp, which can help your hair grow. Washing your hair with regular shampoo can do the same thing. The olive oil will help moisturize your hair, but it won’t do much for growth on its own.

CLAIM: Make your own natural makeup at home using ingredients like beets, arrowroot and coconut oil.

FALSE

The at-home recipes in this pin won't work long-term, as the makeup won't hold its color. The best bet, if you're trying to go all natural, is to go for mineral agents with natural pigment. You can also go beyond the drug store brands and try something like Youngblood Cosmetics, which we sell at the ADSCA medi spa.

CLAIM: Use warm mustard oil to massage your feet and legs twice a day until spider veins are healed.

FALSE

The mustard oil has a yellow color to it that may camouflage spider veins...but it won't get rid of them. It's not really any different than using makeup to cover a pimple and thinking it's been healed.

CLAIM: Mix baking soda with your favorite cleanser. Exfoliate several minutes for soft skin!

TRUE

Baking soda doesn't really do anything spectacular on its own, but it does create a gritty substance that can help scrub dead skin cells off. It's an easy household product to use if you’re out of your regular scrub.

Got any more questions about pins you’ve seen? Comment here or on Facebook. For more great skin care advice, follow us on Pinterest!        

The C-Word: Cellulite

Cellulite might as well be a foul word, because nobody wants anything to do with it. There are numerous myths, procedures and plans for how to get rid of it. Before you get too worked up and take drastic measures, read below to find out what cellulite really is and what safe choices there are to aid in its disappearance.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is the trapping of swollen fat cells between fibrous bands of tissue. As these pockets become denser, sometimes lumps or dimples can be seen on the surface of the skin. Cellulite is not a disease, illness or condition. It is simply the way your body’s fat cells have deposited between connective tissue. People of all shapes and sizes can have cellulite.

What causes cellulite?

Some situations that may cause cellulite include poor diet, fad dieting, slow metabolism, lack of physical activity, hormone changes, dehydration, total body fat and thickness or color of the skin.  Keep in mind that most of these also lead to basic weight gain. Thickness and color of skin do not factor in to weight gain, but they do influence the appearance of cellulite. The lighter and thinner your skin is, the more likely you are to see cellulite on the surface of your skin.

Can cellulite be prevented or treated?

While cellulite can be treated, there is no quick fix or guaranteed method for getting rid of it. Although it is not harmful, cellulite isn’t exactly pleasing to the eye. Many people want to get rid of it once it shows up. People have used a variety of methods to reduce the existence and appearance of cellulite. The below methods vary in effectiveness, but all generally have some impact on cellulite.

1. Liposuction – Probably the most well-known “quick fix” for cellulite, this procedure has been quoted in songs and popular culture for the past decade. A surgery that removes fat cells from the body by essentially vacuuming them out, liposuction is not a guaranteed solution for cellulite. In fact, the erratic vacuuming of the fat cells may actually cause more defined dimples afterward. This is because liposuction may not remove all fat cells.
2. Mesotherapy – Not as well-known as liposuction, mesotherapy is the regimented injection of substances such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids into the tissue just beneath the skin. It can result in a slight improvement to the appearance of cellulite, but it has potential risks that include swelling, infection and irregular contours.
3. Massage and spa treatments – Endermologie is a treatment that involves kneading the skin with a suction device to stimulate collagen production by increasing circulation to the treated area. Laser treatments are becoming more frequent in spas as well. FDA-approved laser treatments claim to sever the connective tissues that press the fat cells together, creating the bulging. They also claim to melt the fat, creating a smoother appearance. These are relatively new procedures, so there aren’t many stories, positive or negative, to support their validity. These treatments do not remove the fat cells that cause cellulite, so any associated benefits are only temporary.
4. Cellulite Creams – These creams claim to dissolve fat and smooth the skin, but there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. Many of the creams contain aminophylline, which is an agent to that can cause the blood vessels to narrow and help flush water from the skin. This effect can be dangerous to people with existing circulatory problems and may cause allergic reactions in others.

Don’t forget about your diet!

Because cellulite is the accumulation of fat cells, your best chance of changing its appearance lies in shrinking those fat cells. This can be done through a lifestyle change focused on healthier eating and increased physical exercise. Remember that poor diet, fad dieting and lack of physical activity can all cause cellulite.

Keep in mind:

• Diets low in sugar and salt help prevent water retention and the plumping of the fat cells within the fibrous bands that create the cellulite dimples. Take note of the sodium and sugar content in the foods you eat. Try to stay below 6 teaspoons of sugar and 2000 mg of sodium each day.
• Diets high in protein promote lean muscle mass. Protein rich foods include meat, beans, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds.
• Exercise helps to use utilize fat stores to burn energy and build muscle mass. Focus on strength exercises that tone the areas where cellulite appears. Also, cardio workouts help to utilize those fat stores and keep your metabolism elevated even after you are finished working out. 

As the fat cells shrink in size and increased muscle mass replaces body fat, you should experience a reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

Although cellulite is not pleasant to the eye, you should know that it is not something to rush to your doctor about. Before you resort to extreme solutions, try altering your daily diet and exercise programs for a healthy low-risk fix. And if you do decide to consult a dermatologist or aesthetician, make sure to check their credentials! If you’d like to make an appointment with ADSCA’s new medi spa, click here.