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We know cellulite can be the bane of a beautiful body, creating pockets of fat and dimpled skin resistant to reduction by diet or exercise. But what is cellulite? Cellulite is fat cells located in chambers separated by vertical and horizontal tissue partitions, or septae. When the chambers are distended by enlarged fat cells or by retained intercellular fluids, they protrude beyond the length of the vertical partitions, pushing up the skin surface and resulting in cellulites telltale dimpled skin. People who want to do something about cellulite have a new treatment option:VelaShape, a non-invasive treatment recently approved by the FDA. It is proven effective in reducing cellulite and shrinking the circumference of areas of the body including thighs, abdomen and buttocks, without downtime or complications. We employ this device at our medical spa in Summit, New Jersey and have achieved excellent results for our patients.

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Laser, or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) procedures have been proven effective for a wide range of aesthetic treatments. But before taking advantage of any of these procedures, its very important that you know exactly who is performing the procedure. As these procedures have become more popular, more untrained people are performing them. And that increases the risks of complications such as hypopigmentation (lightening of skin). Hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin), burns and scarring. At Ethos Spa, we are seeing a growing number of consumers who have had their treatments done by non-healthcare and non-qualified personnel, and have subsequently experienced post-procedural complications. Though such complications can occur regardless of who is performing the procedure, they are less apt to occur when performed by a trained specialist who understands laser physics, laser-tissue interactions, skin type, contraindications, and more. Properly trained physicians know the precautions to take to minimize the risk of complications, and they know how to recognize and effectively address these complications if they arise, to minimize potential adverse outcomes. At Ethos Spa in New Jersey, where we specialize in non-invasive aesthetic procedures, only qualified physicians perform laser or IPL treatments.

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Rosy cheeks may be a sign of health, but they can also be a sign of a bothersome and now easily correctible skin condition. Diffuse redness refers to a general redness caused by dilated capillaries just below the skins surface. Areas most commonly affected are the nose, forehead and cheeks. Diffuse redness is often associated with a condition called rosacea, and it can be hereditary. Now an innovative technology recently introduced by Cutera, one of the leading developers of laser-based skincare devices, can effectively treat diffuse redness on the face and neck. The device, Laser Genesis, can destroy fine capillaries just below the skin. The capillaries and blood they carried are reabsorbed into the body, and nourishing blood flow circulation continues in the normal veins deeper below the skins surface.Laser Genesis treatments are simple and typically have no side effects. A trained skincare professional moves the laser handpiece back and forth over the treatment area about one-half inch above the skin. Patients usually feel a gentle warming of the skins surface, and describe the procedure as relaxing and therapeutic. You can immediately return to normal activities, simply using sunscreen if engaging in outdoor activities. The individual treatment results are subtle, but the overall effect of multiple treatments can be quite dramatic. We use Laser Genesis at our medical spa in Summit, New Jersey for treating diffuse redness as well as conditions associated with sun exposure and premature aging of the skin, and are very pleased with the results, as are our patients. Read more aboutaesthetic procedures and skin care products.

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With the winter sun low in the sky and warm weather activities in hibernation, most people move the sunscreen to the back of the medicine cabinet during the winter. But the cold hard fact is, thats a big mistake. During the winter, the suns ultraviolet radiation coupled with the glare from ground snow can be just as damaging to the skin as it is in the summer months. It is prudent to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. It is equally important to apply it frequently – especially if you are going to spend a prolonged period of time outdoors.In general, winter weather and indoor conditions dry out the skin, and this can lead to flaking and exacerbate other skin conditions. Harsh detergents and cleansers can make dry skin and related conditions worse, so avoid using them if you have winter skin problems. Most people do not need soaps or harsh cleansers anyway, unless their skin contains excessive dirt. A milky, gentle cleanser is less likely to lead to depletion of the essential oils found in skin. A range of professional grade cleansers and moisturizers, such as those from iS Clinical, can help meet the special skin challenges of winter. It is one of the featured line of cosmeceuticals we offer at our medical spa in Summit, New Jersey, to compliment the state-of-the-art non-invasive aesthetic procedures we perform here. Click to read more blogs on skin care and aesthetic procedures.

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Come to Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center for the most luxuriating, relaxing facial that will leave your skin radiant and timeless

What makes a great facial is the Aesthetician. Your Aesthetician should be impeccably groomed and keep a clean sanitary work environment at all times. She also must be knowledgeable on all professional treatments as well as up to speed on all skincare products sold in the market currently. Each facial treatment should begin with a conversation about your specific skin care concerns and your current home care regime. Once the Aesthetician isaware of how you care for your skin she will be able to carefully determine what environmental effects have resulted in your current skinstate. Rather then let the client book a facial off the spa menu, a great Aesthetician chooses to customize treatments for each and every client. Her facial is effective enough to cause visible results but gentle enough to avoid discomfort or irritation. This is a difficult balance she must be able to provide her clients. One that is achieved by responding to the skin as she works with it during the treatment. When a great Aesthetician creates a customized facial , the skins state is addressed. A clients skin state is much more diagnostic in treating the skin then the commonly referred to skin typing ( oily, dry, or combination). Environmental factors such as climate, nutrition, medical health, and stress are just a fraction of the issues your skin maybe reacting to. These factors ultimately cause the skin act differently then what skin type it is. An oily complexion can be chronically dehydrated just as a dry delicate complexion can be clogged and filmy. A great Aesthetician knows that. Most facials includes cleansing, exfoliation, removal of impurities, facial massage, and masking. A great facial includes all of the above plus relaxation, stress reduction, therapeutic massage, facial lymphatic drainage, and enzymatic deencrustation. A vital roleof your Aesthetician is to recognize skin problems that require a dermatologist. If you have a problem that needs a medical doctor, the Aesthetician lets you know. Your Aesthetician should recommended a facial every 4 to 6 weeks. She should not let you feel it’s okay to exceed 8 weeks between visits. And certainly she should not let you feel neglecting your skin entirely until you receive a gift certificate ishealthy. Ultimately,the only sign of a great facial is that when you leave the spa you look radiant and feel refreshed. Never red or bruised. Your Aestheticians has exceeded you goals providing an experience that has given you a meditative escape to a more beautiful you.

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Lasers are becomingincreasingly more popular in reversing the signs of aging. Lasers are able toaccomplish today what only plastic surgery could repair before. The best resultsare obtained when one uses a Skin care regiment incombination with laser therapy. Lasers come in two flavors: ablative and non-ablative. Non-ablative laser leave the outermost layer intact and work onthe principle of selective photothemolysis. This means they are able to target abnormal pigment in the skin. 90% of premature aging is due to sun exposureand lack of adequate protection in terms of sun screen and protective clothing. Abnormal pigments primarily include sun spots and increased redness from blood vessels. Sun spots typically appear as brown pigments in the screen and are a result of overproduct of melanin. Vessels typically appear as redness in the skin. The laser selectively destroys these pigments to restore an even skintone. There is typically very little down time associated with these procedures and may include minimal redness to the skin like a mild sunburn.

Ablative lasers produce more damage to the skin and the real benefit is in the healing process. New laser employ fractional ablation which means only a percentage of the face istreated. It creates small zones of ablation and heating leaving the surrounding skin intact. While they tend to result in more redness and sometimes evenpinpoint bleeding, the down time is vastly improved through faster healing from the act surrounding skin. Ablative lasers are more useful for treating textural changes in the skin such as pores, wrinkle, and skin laxity.

CO2laser have been the gold standard for skin resurfacing. First generation lasers ablated the entire face. The results were impressive however down time typically ranged from weeks to months. In addition, risks for adverse outcome such as hypopigmentation,hyperpigmentation, as well as scarring were significantly higher than newer fractional resurfacing. The newer generation of lasers only ablate a portion of the face reducing adverse events while preserving efficacy. However CO2 lasers produce a tremendous amount of thermal damage as well as ablation leading tonecrosis and greater healing times.

Erbium lasers are another class of lasers used for ablation. Water absorption is much greater in an Erbium laser than the CO2 laser. Because water is the primary target, any structure containing water will be affected. Erbium lasers cause primarily ablatiion with very little coagulation. Therefore after a treatment,the face is covered is pinpoint bleeding due to lack of coagulative effects.

Newer fractional lasers employ a wavelength with properties in between Erbium and CO2 lasers with a more balanced blend of ablation and coagulation. Therefore theycombine the best aspects of the CO2 and erbium laser while reducing the limitations of both.

The utilization of lasers has greatly advance the field of cosmetic surgery and will delay the need for plastic surgery. This translates into less cost, less recovery time, and better results in the long run.

Read more articles about cosmetic procedures and new techniques…

Contact us at Ethos Spa to see how we can help you look younger.

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Botox is quite possibly the perfect drug out there. It works, it is safe, and if you do not like it the results are temporary. Botox is a protein derived from a bacteria that help with wrinkles. It does so by temporary blocking the message from the nerves to the muscles, resulting in relaxing of the muscle. This is a temporary effect and most people regain control of their muscles within 3 to 5 months.

Botox had been used for cosmetic purposes even before it received FDA approval. It has an excellent safety profile and is recommended for use between the age of 18 to 65 for cosmeticpurposes.

Botox is effective for dynamic wrinkles, meaning lines visible with expression. Wrinkle which are etched or set in may soften from Botox administration but will still be present. Ove time Botox has a preventative effect. In addition, people who have been using Botox for many years do not require it as often to maintain the results.

Botox is FDA approved for the glabellar region which is the area between the eyebrows. People refer to the lines as “elevens” and it gives the owner an angry, tiredlook. However Botox can be used in almost any location where there are muscles and is even utilzied to control excessive sweating in areas such as the underarms. Otherareas Botox can be injected include crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, peri-oral wrinkles, neck bands. Botox is even utilzied for medical problems such as migraines, back pain, cervical dystonias, after stroke, and swallowing disorders to name a few.

Botox should be injected by a practitioner versed in anatomy of the injection site. While health care professionals other than physicians can inject Botox, always ask the credentials for the injector. The injections are relatively painless as a very small thin needle is employed. It can be likened to tiny pin pricks or mosquito bites. Common side effects include minor red bumps at injection site, and bruising. Some people may even experience headaches following Botox injections. It is also important to realize that Botox can worsen facial asymmetry. The left side of the face is not exactly the same as the right side of the face. Therefore a good practitioner will often require follow up in 7 to10 days to assess for more injection. The results from Botox are typically realized at this time although few percentage can see results before or after this period.

A droopy eyelid can occur especially if the Botox is injected too closely to the upper eyelid. While it is a potential complication it is usual due to improper technique. Other complications include double vision, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing. This is rare in the setting of use of Botox for cosmetic reasons and is more likely when Botox is injected into the neck or large units of the preparation are required.

Botox is contraindicated in those with a prior allergic reaction, during pregnancy and breast feeding, or presence of neuromuscular conditions such as myastheniagravis or multiple sclerosis. Age is a relative contraindication and caution should be advised under 18 and over 65.

Botox is quite safe and effective if performed by a qualified injected. At Ethos Spa in Summit, NJ only board certified physicians inject Botox. We also have plastic surgeons whouse Botox for more advanced cosmetic techniques.

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