8% TCA Peel From Make-up Artist’s Choice (MUAC)

I had prepped with Retin A (applied over cetaphil lotion so it’s not as harsh) for a week and then waited a few days.  I barely peel with that regimen so my skin wasn’t inflamed after the delay.  Then I washed my face with Cetaphil (twice, lol) and applied the 8% TCA solution only once.  I waited 5 minutes and neutralized, used the green tea soap, blotted my face, then waited until my skin was dry and then applied triple antibiotic cream.  I did have frosting almost immediately in two areas: one spot on my cheek which had hyperpigmented after too much exfoliation with this mini sandpaper-like exfoliator 2 months ago, I DO NOT recommend doing that!  And a small spot on the side of my nose that was from a left over break out I support. That spot did peel from the Retin A and I thought it was well healed, well the TCA showed me it was not. I simply neutralized those 2 areas immediately as instructed but left the rest on my face the full 5 minutes. This morning my skin was tight so I washed my face again with teh green tea soap, dried and then applied the triple antibiotic cream. I don’t look at all like I have had a peel, other than the tightness which is temporary until I apply a cream. It feels a little like windburn if I stretch my face or yawn. But that’s it. I expect to peel within 3 days.  I want to be finished peeling by Wed! *crossing fingers* Then I will wait 2-3 weeks and do another peel.

Update: I was completely finished peeling by Day 5 and my skin does look a lot better.  I still have spots to peel (hyperpigmentation from past breakouts).

I hope to do another one soon

Careprost vs Latisse With Photos

I used Latisse first and had extraordinary results.  Then out of cost and a recommendation from forum members I bought Careprost.  I have been using Careprost for months on end and am on my third bottle now.  At first I thought my Latisse lashes were longer.  But then I compared pics and they look about the same.  I do wish they were a bit longer and thicker but this looks to be about the end of the lash-road for me.  I have been using it long enough to where I have reached my peak. lol 

Also, I have noticed I have had lash growth in the corner of my eye, under the normal lashline (rim, you can see two of them in the last pic) and definitely between the upper eyelid crease and below the eyebrow (like little downy hairs).  I started applying it to my brow edges a few months ago and I have noticed some growth, and some errant hairs as well.  I am assuming it pretty much gets all over you as you blink and the fluid spreads to the edges of your lashes before it has had a chance to dry.  Therefore I need a hand mirror and natural sunlight (outside is where I can see it best) to pluck away about once a month.

Has anyone had this change in their results after switching products?

 

Juvederm To Submalar Area, Restylane to Lips & Botox to Forehead, Glabella & Crow’s Feet

Juvederm To Submalar Area, Restylane to Lips & Botox to Forehead, Glabella & Crow’s Feet

*Firstly, I apologize for not having any before and afters.  I had sent the topical anesthetic pic to a friend, so that is why I have it.  But unfortunately my phone was stolen before I had a chance to remove the other pics off of it for my journal.

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoeing in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few pounds.  I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.  I had to work an event the weekend before and had two people say that I looked “different” since the last time they saw me just a few months ago.  Bleh.  And I got ma’amed 4 times in one day, lol.  Why don’t they just put me out to pasture, right?  Whatever.

I got to my appointment and he looked over my face and the first thing Dr. Hoenig said was, “You need to gain weight.”  
“No way!” I exclaimed.
He then proceeded to suggest I have my submalar area injected, lol. 
“Don’t you think I need more cheeks?”  I told him.
“You wouldn’t have any cheeks if it weren’t for me.”  said Dr. Hoenig.
*gasp!* “Not so!” I told him.  I pride myself on the fact that I have good cheek bones.  Don’t take my ONE plus I still have away from me, hehe!

I was apprehensive about injecting the submalar are but the more I looked, the more gaunt I really did appear.  I agreed.  Even Danya, agreed and I always listen to her.  So Dr. Hoenig applied some topical anesthetic and I waited for it to take effect.

He didn’t inject Restylane under my eyes.  He also didn’t inject anything into my nasolabials.  Dr. Hoenig said that he feels that unless they are deep, injecting that area to look flat causes the area between the upper lip and nose to look elongated which tends to age the face. *drat*

It must be Conservative Day , because this is what I wound up with:
Juvederm: 1 cc Juvederm in the submalar area, feathered to the malar area.  It actually looks better.  I have always been reluctant to get this area injected but I needed it.  I concede. (* had originally had posted that I had .8 Juve, but that was incorrect)

Restylane: 0.3 cc Restylane in my lips.   Bummer, I wanted more, lol.  He just did the cupid’s bow and a little touch to the center of my bottom lip.  I really wanted bigger lips, but he said “NO sausage lips.”    So I look natural.  Yay.  But it really does look natural, which is good. 

Botox: 25 units of Botox to forehead, glabella and only a touch to crow’s feet. Last year when I had my Radiesse, I had 54 units total.  I only got 25 units this time but it lasted until late March (2011). Really!

My Recovery
I bruised from everything!  From the Botox, the Restylane to my lips and I had some bruising in the cheek area from the Juvederm.  Plus, I was SUPER sensitive even with topical anteshetic.  It was very odd.  It’s not normal for me and Dr Hoenig was very surprised as well.  Even with a nerve block to the lip area I still felt the philtrum injections.  I am getting ready to “start” so I am always so super-sensitive beforehand.  I also think that I am anemic again so there ya go.  I have not drank anything lately so it was quite a shock to get bruising.

I still only have slight flaking left over from double layer 8% TCA, waiting another 2 weeks to do peel #2.   The peel really made the past blemishes and hyperigmentations dark this time.   I look like a hag right now.  But the TCA should help my complexion once it heals.

I am thinking about getting laser under my eyes, or the 35% in-office peel, but after the holidays.  He said my piddly 8% peels will do nothing like his 35% will.   I wonder what he thinks about the Vi peel.  I will have to ask next time I go.
Dr Hoenig had commented on a visible superficial vein under my eye that makes it look icky as well.  Aging SUCKS.
Conclusion
I really like the submalar injections.   It did make my face look more filled out and I was so against it for so long, haha.  I know it is difficult to judge how much you should have, as a patient, which is why I need to trust my doctor.  I redeemed myself of any doubt and sent  Thank You card to the office and commented that they told me so and that I shall never doubt him again.

Broke Down and Bought the Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara

I can’t tell you how disappointed I am with this mascara.  Talk about build something up in your mind so much that you become disillusioned. DRAT!!! It is ‘okay’ but it is clearly not colossal in my humble opinion. I am not saying it is bad per se, just not what I expected personally. I am such a mascara snob, no, I am worse, an insatiable mascara FIEND. And the brush isn’t yellow, I thought for sure it would be yellow rubber! Boring.  But then again I don’t care for rubber bristles. Like I said, insatiable. You can’t win for losing with me. But I am going to use it simply because I bought it, but I have to put on a ton of coats to make it look even remotely like the Maybelline XXL Curl Power I use.

The brush is huge, big enough to give me false hope. I like that it doesn’t clump, however. And when you get some on your cheek from looking down or otherwise not staying still, it actually wipes off with a dry cotton ball or tissue. That was extraordinary.

I just tested it out again and it takes me about 10 strokes to coat the lashes to an acceptable degree. Other than that, maybe I won’t keep using it. It is that pointless to me.

It’s That Time Again! Crash Beauty Tips for the Holidays!

Christmas Eve is less than a week away, what can we possibly do to look our best in only a week? And in this economy??  More than you think. I know I am a little late in the countdown for mini procedures such as Botox and Restylane [since I had it done a little over a month ago], but there are things you can do.

Today I took a before and whew! was I haggard.  My face is freshly scrubbed in this pic, I’m blotchy, and my hair is still in the growing phase after recovering from the horror of extensions, but it’s all I have to work with. Plus, I am nursing a pretty good injury and have left the house since last weekend–and once only to brave the shopping malls.  So, go easy please.  I was looking back on photos from a little over a year ago and I realized I had been letting myself “go” for lack of a better word. I don’t know if it is a matter of getting comfortable in my own skin, the extreme sports taking their toll, or simply lack of time. But it is time to stop moping, get out of my PJs and hit the salon!  I am on a mission to at least resemble what I did not too long ago.

• First Goal: Slim Down and FAST! I am on a strict diet of salmon and non-starchy vegetables until Christmas.  That’s it, these winter pounds have got to go!  I am up to 129 lb. and I prefer to be at 120. Eeek. Plus it will be good for my skin, I’ll detox and I won’t feel so badly when I have some sweet potatoes at dinner on the 25th.  I have got to stop yo-yo dieting. I excel at it.
• Exercise: While I realize muscle tone is just not going to happen for me by Christmas, I know that exercise will help my complexion and health in general. But quite frankly I can barely walk so I don’t see this happening, However, if you are able to increase your cardio, it will help you lose some holiday fat and energize you for the tasks ahead. My New Year’s Resolution, start exercising more.  Just staying as active as I am really doesn’t do anything for my body, the extreme sports only break nails and gives me bruises, nothing more.  Hiking helps, but in all honestly, the only time I hike is to jump off of something. I should start mountain biking, but I find that as much fun as paying taxes. This is my year, however.  I need to suck it up and just do it!
• Skincare: My skincare regimen has been working.  My Finacea is starting to take effect and my breakouts are far less. I could use less blotchiness and frankly, a another Cosmelan mask would do me a world of good. But I know I need to be careful on changing anything this close to an event, i.e. using Retin A, etc. so I am not taking any chances.  A little mild exfoliation and some moisturizer will keep me in the right direction without rocking the boat.  I really don’t recommend getting a facial unless you are accustomed to doing it regularly.  Extractions and skincare changes can cause eruptions and the last thing you want to do is look like Rudolph as you sit down for ham.
• Water Is Your Friend.  With all of this indoor heating and freezing outdoor temperatures, it will do you well.  I am truly awful about drinking water. I am going to increase my water intake and further flush out the toxins and keep my skin hydrated.  My second New Year’s Resolution is to get my timer back out (the only way I remember and force myself) and drink 6 ounces every hour.  Although I should start today!
• Supplements: I wonder if supplements taken this early would do anything at all. Probably not, but increasing my Vitamin C would at least help my immune system during cold season. In can’t hurt, right? I am so bad about remembering to take my supplements. I don’t like taking pills period, much less huge horse pills that taste awful.  But I know it would benefit me both internally and aesthetically.  I will place them nesxt to the coffee machine. hehe.  Also, I am thinking about taking a prenatal every other day.  Any thoughts on this?
• Hair: I am going to make a hair appointment for Monday.  My roots are just coming out so it is in that inbetween-maybe-I-should-but-I-really-don’t-have-to-stage. Although a good moisturizing treatment and blowout will make me feel better and certainly add to the mini-makeover. My hair has done nothing but stay up in a scrunchie for a while now.  Oh how I wish I could have long hair FAST! Since removing my extensions, I miss the long, perfect hair that I could never grow on my own. But I know I will regret it if I put them back in.  Besides, it’s an expense I really don’t need.
• Nails! OH MY GOODNESS. I need a manicure and pedicure. I haven’t had one in about 2 months.  I suggest getting one this weekend or early next week.  I miss my acrylics but my lifestyle doesn’t really support having them.  But I miss them   Lately I have been debating putting them back on.
• Make-Up: While I’m at the mall for last minute shopping, I am going to stop in at Bare Escentuals and have them do my eye make up.  Maybe purchase a few new smoky colors. I am not to daring in the eye makeup department, my diva downfall for sure. I only ever wear a little when I am attending an event, in formal attire, rarely (if ever) any other time. I should probably put more effort into looking a little more made up.
• Sunless Tan: I know it stinks but it makes me look a little less like a corpse.  I am so pale in the winter!  I want to look a little more vibrant, at least like I don’t have one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel. So, to add some warmth to my pallor, I am going to break out the sunless tanner about 2 days before Christmas Eve. That way I can get two layers applied, and hopefully can get rid of the stink a little more before the party.
• A New Outfit: A nice new festively red sweater may do me well, with perhaps a pair of slimming black slacks and high-heeled boots.  It’s simple, it’s subtle, it works. It will make me look taller, and hopefully thinner.  Those alone are enough to make me like it. 

For me the winter takes its toll every year. I don’t like the cold and when I do go out in it, it is normally to ski or whatever. Try as I might, I can’t really stay looking my best with a red face and runny nose.  Although after looking at photos from not so long ago, and then comparing them to today? I look so much older in my opinion. I can see the effects of facial aging and past procedure mistakes, and my metabolism seems slower.  This aging business is not on the top of my list of favorite activities. But, alas, Father Time is someone I’d like to punch in the nose. I guess the only thing to do is roll up my sleeves, take a defensive stance, and meet the challenge head-on. Like I said, this year is the year!  I believe I can make a good turn around…

Restylane and Botox Update

As some of you may have read, on Thursday I went to Beverly Hills to see Dr. Hoenig for my quarterly Botox and Restylane injections.  Dr. Hoenig  used only Restylane for my lips and undereyes this time–no Juvederm.  He felt I didn’t need much at all, in fact he thought there was barely any movement in my brow and said “most doctors would throw you out of their office” But, I disagree because if I can make dynamic lines when I raise my eyebrows, I’m not happy! I like it completely smooth  

I unfortunately seemed to have needed a lot of Restylane under my left eye.  Dr. Hoeing feels my skin is very thick in the mid cheek (apple area) and that the oil glands under my skin may be enlarged, causing a demarcation where it meets the thin undereye skin. Apparently they do not complement one another.  I personally feel it is the scar tissue from the fat because my cheek skin thickness has not changed in size since I was younger.  Who knows though?

I had Restylane injected in the cupid’s bow and philtrum (raised lines that run from the cupid’s bow to the nose) of my lips and a touch in the bottom lip.  I also had Restylane injected in my cheeks, very little.  I wanted more but he felt I didn’t need it. I had Botox to the glabella (frown line), forehead and crow’s feet.  Last time it didn’t seem to work very completely, or for as long, so this time I am crossing my fingers.

Dr. Hoenig also put me on topical Azelaic acid which I will be starting in a week.  I have only used it once before, and only from a sample, and I loved it.  I hope it doesn’t cause any irritation or make things worse; I have never had the problem before with azelaic acid.  Here is to a rejuvenated face using less invasive means!

N.Y.C. Lippin’ Large Lip Plumper

I am an impulse buyer, no doubt about it.  I was at the pharmacy shopping for travel bottles for my toiletries and other necessities for my Thanksgiving trip and lo and behold I saw a great shade (#476 Plum Tart) of NYC Lippin’ Large lip gloss in a tube, that also happened to be a lip plumper. Sold.

I got home and although it is 10 o clock at night, I, of course, had to try it out.  I was surprised at the great texture, not too goopy, not to dry–actually perfect.  The color is very nice; it reminds me of NARS Babydoll that I am faithful to, but a little more shimmery.  What surprised me the most is that although the company’s website mentions ingredients such as cinnamon and ginger, it was almost spearaminty, and not cinnamony at all.  The website also states there is a warming feeling, but honestly it felt like a cooling sensation. Often lip plumpers sting, but this was refreshing 

As far as performance, there wasn’t much immediate plumping, but it did poof them out slightly.  I didn’t feel like my lips were being dried out and it most certainly was not uncomfortable at all. I could actually feel it working, but it wasn’t the severe inside-out plump you receive from hardcore cinnamon oil plumpers. The best part? It was only $3.99 and lasted on my lips for a very long time. Not bad for a few bucks!

Causes and Treatments for Under Eye Dark Circles

Either hereditary, lack of sleep or simply a result of aging, thinning skin, dark undereye circles are undeniable.  I have friends who carry a concealer stick in their purse or pocket–even men!  I have had them, but I am fortunate that they are easier to deal with than most.  I have seen pretty severe dark circles that look as though they were from a good punch in the eye, and others which only seem to surface from lack of sleep. Still, when they seem permanent and no amount of sleep, diet, or supplements seem to work, they can really get you down.

The cause for dark circles is usually thinning of the skin, and fat loss, which allows the blood vessels below to show through. My dark circles are actually pseudo-dark circles, in that they appear only in some photos where the flash causes a shadow from my cheeks. There is no bluish or purple tint visible from under my skin upon further inspection.  The hollows from fat loss are what actually causes them in photos. So, what do I do? Fill er up with Restylane.  I wish it were permanent, but I suppose I’d rather it not be.  Not that I have commitment issues, but I have had not-so-good permanent results that I regret, so I don’t need any on my face.  My next appointment is actually today in Beverly Hills with Dr. Hoenig!  I figured since I have an event coming up in a week and a half and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I might as well get it in now.  Let’s hope I don’t bruise badly.  I think the time frame is enough to where anything that may surface can be dealt with in time.

So how do you determine which category your dark circles happen to fall under?  Ask yourself these questions:

• Does your mother or father have them?
• In good lighting, do you see a bluish tint, or see blood vessels right below the surface?
• Are they worse with lack of sleep, or when you are sick?
• Are your under eyes sunken in? When you compare photos of when you were younger, do you feel that you had more volume under your eyes?

Usually all of the above can be dealt with relatively easily. If you feel your skin is thin, Sculptra may be an option for you, although lumps are possible.  Sculptra (polylactic acid) injections cause thickening of the skin due to a low inflammatory response which in turn promotes collagen growth. Restylane may also help in this regard as well, although thickening of the skin may be more suitable for your needs if your skin is truly thin.

If your issue is more from volume loss, even better.  Restylane has been such a Godsend for me.  Even though I have had fat grafting in the past, I love instant gratification.  You can walk almost immediately out of your doctor’s office, feeling refreshed and looking rejuvenated.  Only a skilled plastic surgeon or dermatologist will be able to tell you for sure.  Just be sure to get several opinions before you commit.

In preparation for your treatment, there are some guidelines you can follow to help lessen the chances of bruising.  Be sure to stay away from alcohol for at least a few days, and avoid aspirin, and products containing ibuprofen or naproxen.  Although bruising may be inevitable, hopefully avoiding these products can somewhat help.  Cold compresses before and after can further assist you in this regard.  After 48 hours your doctor may instruct you to switch to warm compresses to increase blood flow to the area to promote faster healing and removal of the contusion. Always adhere to your own doctor’s aftercare protocol, and ask before considering any treatment you were not instructed to do.  Even though this has helped me tremendously, your doctor may not approve.

Although one appointment may be necessary for a lot of patients, it is possible that you may need a touch up once the swelling subsides.  Whatever the case may be, do not let your dark under eye circles get you down. There is hope, I promise!

How To Shape Your Eyebrows

Do you have eyebrow envy?  Do you even have much of an eyebrow to speak of at all?  Do you notice the eyebrows of others and wish just once you could have a good set all to yourself, without brow pencil, or without cosmetic tattooing?  I have been there, I live it every day. In fact I obsessed about my eyebrows yesterday while looking at photos from a recent trip.   Why have I been smited by the eyebrow Gods?? Why??

I have been dealing with thin, sparse eyebrows for about 10 years.  It was after my first cosmetic surgery procedure, and was told that anesthesia, antibiotics, and the fact that I had at one point possibly over-plucked. Okay, I admit, I probably, not possibly, did.  The end result is the same, they are thin and in my opinion not long enough on the inner and outer ends.  After a few years of brow pencil, I chose to get cosmetic tattooing. Big mistake. Now I have asymmetrical eyebrows AND still need brow pencil to fill it in and make them look more symmetical. So although this article does not apply to me in the sense that I have only a few errant hairs to pluck a few times a year, this article is for those of you who need eyebrow help.  Why, do you ask, would you take advice from someone who doesn’t have great eyebrows? Well, I guess those who can’t, teach,

Using What You Have
We all have to work with what we were given, so determining what you have to start with and what can be accomplished is the first step.  Do you have bushy brows, thin, sparse brows, no brows whatsoever?  Well, obviously if you have the latter, a brow pencil or cosmetic tattooing are the only options you really have. But even if you only have a little brow hair you can begin to use it as a guide. 

Tools of the Trade
I honestly feel that if you can afford it and have the desire, going for a first brow shaping session with a professional is a great idea. If not, however, you can attempt this by yourself.  Just be conservative.

You will need a good pair of tweezers, such as Tweezerman brand, a good mirror and a well-lit area to work in.  I don’t suggest waxing your own brows for your first rodeo. Accidentally removing your brow is a risk and it takes a long time for it to grow back.  Another good tool I liek to have on hand is a digital camera to take photos before, during and after to truly see how it looks to everyone else, and not just relying upon your eyes which have a hard time differentiating asymmetries on your own face.

Determining A Plan

I prefer to use stencils and apply brow pencil and then remove the hairs which are undesirable.  I prefer a more arched brow so I remove the hairs in this area in order to create this look. Determining the best brow shape for your eyes is done by using a thin makeup brush or orange stick as is used for manicures–a thin flat ruler of sorts is best if the stick is too thick.  Although this method is not written in stone, as a wider nose will cause you to remove too much inner brow hair. But this method can help you find the outer barriers and arch point of your new brow shape-to-be.

How To Start

Start SLOW! Don’t remove too much too soon and too fast. Begin by placing the stick, or thin ruler, next to your nose, straight up, parallel to the side of your nostril (ala). Anything towards the center of the face beyond this barrier you may wish to pluck. Remember to start slow and conservative if you have many brow hairs to remove. Start by working your way in and take a photo to determine what you feel looks best. Remember, your eye shouldn’t resemble severe paisley, but it shouldn’t all be uniform, and squared off either. .Take note of the inner brow shape, don’t make it look to rounded ,as this is where you can get a paisley shape.

For the arch, running the stick from the nostril to the center of the pupil and up into your brow will determine its ideal arch point,. Although many women these days like a more angled look, which is fine, and may choose to arch the brow a little closer to the outside. 

For the outer edge, run the stick again from the nostril, angled up to the corner of the eye, up into your brow,  Remove anything past this point. The outer end should taper, but experiment with what looks good to you. Look online for photos of celebrity brows that you like. But note the face shape of the person.  Not all brow shapes are going to look good on your face.  I have actually experimented by using Photoshop and shaping my eyebrows digitally to find what I like best.  This, brow pencils, and taking photos to study and compare can also be beneficial.

Remember, slow and easy wins the race, s it is easier to take away than to add.

From A Man’s Perspective

I thought that this would be an interesting addition to this entry.  What is it like, as a man, to have your eyebrows groomed…

Q. What made you decide to have your eyebrows groomed for the first time?

A. I felt that my eyebrows had an ungroomed appearance and wanted to clean everything up.

 

Q. Were you embarrassed or apprehensive about walking into the salon and requesting eyebrow grooming and shaping?

A. I was a little apprehensive, yes.

 

Q. Was the technician surprised that a man was requesting eyebrow grooming?

A. She was open to the to it, and it seemed almost normal, even routine, that a man wanted it done.  She made me feel very comfortable about getting it done.

 

Q. What method did you have for eyebrow grooming?

A. She used wax and tweezers for a few leftover hairs.

 

Q. How long did it take to have your eyebrows groomed?

A. It wasn’t very long at all, it took about 15 minutes.

 

Q. How was the pain during the treatment? Being a man, and stereotypically thought to have a lower pain tolerance, did it hurt?

A. It actually felt good.  I was surprised that she would immediately press down after removing the tapes, so the pain was very short-lived. Not very prolonged at all.

 

Q. Was there redness or bleeding afterwards, any negative effects?

A. The redness wasn’t too bad, maybe slightly noticeable–not very dramatic at all. I was, however, surprised at the amount of hair that was on the wax strip.

 

Q. Are you satisfied with the outcome and would you do it again?

A. Yes, I like the look and would do it again. But I hope it doesn’t grow back too soon. I think having unruly eyebrows is as bad as not taking care of your sideburns. I think the result is a cleaner look now.

 

Q. Do you feel that your eyebrows are more or less symmetrical? Any negative side effects?

A. I feel they are more symmetrical now than they were.

 

Q. Are you worried about someone noticing that you’ve had it done?

A. I am curious if someone is going to notice.

 

Q. How much did it cost?

A. It was inexpensive, only $10.

Ladies, have you ever had a man who did not take care of his brows? You know, those 9 inch long brow hairs you just want to rip from his head?  That and nose hairs, blech. Although some of you may consider male eyebrow waxing” metro”, thank God they are willing to stay groomed for us since we are always expected to do it for them.  I welcome a new era of men who take pride in maintaining their appearance!

Snake Venom Wrinkle Creams & Snail Slime Serums

Want wrinkle control, but don’t want to get Botox injections? Acne got you down, but you’re tired of Retin-A?  While what we may now consider “odd” ingredients, have been used to treat ailments for hundreds of years, they most certainly weren’t packaged so prettily or cost as much as they now do.  So would you use a product which contained bee mucus, snail slime, or snake venom?  Would you if it worked?

While these products aren’t relatively new, they seem to be making their way back into celebrity goodie bags.  Afterall, celebrities need wrinkle fighting creams too!  You may remember the hub bub about Gwyneth Paltrow using a product which is said to contain snake venom.  If wrinkle-fighting is what you’re looking for, Sonya Dakar’s UltraLuxe 9 Age Control Complex is just what the snake doctor ordered. Sonya Dakar’s UltraLuxe 9 contains 9 anti-aging complexes, one of which is Syn-Ake.  Syn-Ake is a synthetic version of venom of a Temple Viper, found in Southeastern Asia,.  Upon further research, I found very little information on the specifics of the venom, but Dakar is enthusiastic about the product.  Dakar reports that its effects are much like a temporary, topical paralytic which works by blocking the release of acetylcholine.

Another snake venom product to recently hit the market it Syence Skin Venom Memory Cream. Their product also contains synthetic snake venom, but its effects are said to be cumulative and can improve wrinkles over time.  I sometimes wonder how one even comes up with such ideas, but if it works, it works.  I have not ever used it, however so I cannot say if it does or not. If anyone has any information, I would love to hear from you.

And then there’s Snail Slime.  Not your average snail, the Chilean Snail secretes a protein that can actually repair  injuries and imperfections in its shell. The secretion is said to improve the texture of dry skin, scars, rosacea, acne, and wrinkles. Two product names are De Tuinen Snail Gel, and Elicina (reportedly the original).

SO if the above doesn’t shock you, what abotu bee mucus. Yes, bee spit.  Profael Specialty Skin of China manufactures a cream called Nourishment which is said to contain bee mucus. Very little information can be found on this product unfortunately.  But it goes to show you, the beauty industry will try anything.

All in all, I am willing to try anything once.   Whether any of the above works or not is unknown to me.   But I’d be interested in finding out.  For some reason though, I feel sticking to old standbys and a good diet, as well as my Botox and Restylane is more my speed. I’m just not into spending beacoup money on possibly gimicky products that contain exotic animal essences.