Celeb anti-aging treatments

On the subject of achieving uniform skin tone and texture, Dr. Trevor Born, arguably Canada’s best-known cosmetic surgeon, expresses enthusiasm for a new therapy called SilkPeel Dermalinfusion. “It’s a combination of micro-dermabrasion and the topical application of a skinlightening agent called Lumixyl, which is totally different from hydroquinone; it has none of its side effects [rash, hives, redness],” he explains. Brandt reports recent success in treating rosacea or chronic flushing of the face with Botox. “It can also visibly reduce the size of pores,” he adds. “We inject it into the skin [as opposed to the muscles], and it affects the tiny muscles that cause blood vessels and pores to dilate.”

At 43, Cindy Crawford’s luminous complexion and smooth, firm skin may, indeed, be attributable to Meaningful Beauty, her own line of anti-aging products based on a patented melon extract. But the fact that her collaborator is Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh, one of France’s leading cosmetic surgeons, provokes suspicion that she has gone under the knife. Cindy’s “people” will only say that the ex-supermodel declines to comment.

When it comes to the divinely defined jawlines of stars like Madonna and Juliette Binoche, Brandt and Born point to dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic-acid-based Restylane and Perlane and poly-L-lactic-acid-based Sculptra — sometimes in combination with Botox — as the reigning noninvasive route to firmness. And both are believers in using Botox on the aging neck. In fact, Brandt says that he was the first to develop the technique. “The theory is, when the neck muscles contract, they pull own the face,” he says. “By relaxing the neck muscles, the face muscles are able to lift, to pull up the face.” Likewise, Born notes, using Botox to soften the depressor anguli oris muscle below the corner of the mouth allows the mouth to turn up. (Nobody likes a grumpylooking star.)

The theory is, when the neck muscles contract, they pull own the face, says Dr. Frederic Brandt. By relaxing the neck muscles, the face muscles are able to lift, to pull up the face.

For a sought-after surgeon, Novack is remarkably unperturbed by the growing popularity of facial rejuvenations that don’t involve cutting. “I work with radio frequency tightening belowthe skin’s surface to cause contraction,” he explains. “The key is to use emerging technology to effect deep fascia tightening. This is where there is the greatest promise.” Noting that Dr. Arthur Swift, a Montreal plastic surgeon, is among those currently working on this, Novack adds: “They are targeting ultrasound waves to converge on the fascia via a defocused beam that bypasses the fat. This is the future of facial tightening.”

Since stem-cell technology is such a big buzz phrase these days, we asked Brandt — who has an extensive line of self-branded skin-care products — if he has looked into it. He has. But the obstacles — isolating the exact stem cells you need, getting them to penetrate the skin or stimulate the patient’s own stem cells — have, thus far, proved daunting. What this in-demand dermatologist has just introduced is Time Arrest, a range of products with a new platinum nanotechnology that, says Brandt, is able to deliver higher concentrations of peptides into the skin, “so we’re getting better results in reducing wrinkles and lines and lifting the skin.”

Keep reading to see how to cut down on fat without going under the knife


PUBLICATION DATE: 2009-09-01