This October, forget pumpkin pie

Every time I see a jack-o’-lantern, I have the sudden urge to rub its innards all over my face — for good reason.  It’s officially fall, Halloween is around the corner and pumpkins are everywhere.  Starbucks is now featuring seasonal pumpkin spice lattes, Edy’s is selling a pumpkin ice cream, and Dairy Queen just launched a pumpkin pie Blizzard.  As tasty as these treats may be – I’ve already tried them all, mind you – indulging won’t do anything for your looks.  So if you want to fit into your Halloween costume, take advantage of pumpkin’s beauty benefits.

Have you ever wondered why a pumpkin is orange?  Me neither.  But it just so happens that pumpkins get their orange color from carotenoids, which neutralize free radicals and thereby prevent wrinkles.  Pumpkins are packed with antioxidants and skin-nourishing vitamins A, C and E.  But, wait, there’s more.  Pumpkin pulp also contains powerful enzymes that naturally exfoliate the skin, much like papaya.  But in my opinion, the scent of pumpkin is far more pleasant than papaya, which smells somewhat pungent.  So the next time you reach for a slice of pumpkin pie, try reaching for a pumpkin face mask instead. 

If you’re still craving something to get you in a festive mood, there are a bunch of Halloween-inspired beauty products on the market.  One of my favorites is the Philosophy’s Haunted House kit, an adorable package I recently purchased.  Trick or treat!

Bimatoprost eyelash treatment will drop next summer

The FDA pulled growth-stimulating eyelash treatments earlier this year, worried that the prescription-grade drugs contained in the products would cause safety issues.  Since then, Allergan has conducted successful clinical trials on a prescription cosmetic drug that actually makes your eyelashes longer and thicker.  FDA approval is pending, but the currently unnamed product is expected to be available sometime next summer.

This product is unlike Jan Marini’s Marini Lash, an over-the-counter product that contains vitamins, peptides, moisturizers and plant extracts.  Allergan’s product contains bimatoprost, an active ingredient contained in Lumigan – the company’s glaucoma medication.  When Lumigan came out, doctors noticed that patients who were applying the medication with an eye dropper were beginning to develop longer, thicker and darker eyelashes as a side effect.  Allergan then decided to bottle the bimatoprost for cosmetic uses.  The product comes in a tube, identical to a mascara tube, and is applied with a wand like liquid eyeliner.

Many similar products exist on the market, such as Revitalash and Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner.  DermaLash recently launched its eyelash conditioner in black, cocoa, indigo and plum so that the product can be worn during the day like makeup.  None of these products, however, actually makes eyelashes grow.  They work by conditioning the lashes and making them healthier.  If you’re willing to shell out about $150 for any of these products, they’re definitely worth it.  Someone gave me a tube of Revitalash about six months ago, and my eyelashes appeared longer in about two weeks. 

Some people remain worried about potential side effects.  But I can’t wait to get Allergan’s product next summer.  If it’s good enough for the FDA, it’s good enough for me.

First came high-definition TVs. Then came high-definition faces.

According to the Associated Press, people who want to look perfect can turn to high-definition makeup.  People who are familair with HD on TV love how it makes colors (and people) seemingly pop off the screen, making them feel like they are actually at the baseball game, or alongside their favorite celebrity.  Few people, however, know about the pitfalls of high-definition. 

In this case, its primary advantage and disadvantage are one in the same: HD makes everything, and I do mean everyhting, crystal-clear.  That’s a little too clear for television personalities who want to hide wrinkles or blemishes.  Because traditional television broadcasts were fuzzier, imperfections were blurred.  The camera may add 10 pounds, but it sure makes your skin look clearer.  But with HD, one can practically count the host’s pores. 

Not surprisignly, the introduction of high-definition makeup came shortly after HD started booming.  Stars who panicked after seeing what they actually looked like (eek!) could attain physical perfection once more with airbrushed makeup, which is basically the process of applying liquid foundation with a spray can.  The composition of the makeup used is crafted to reflect rather than absorb light, visibly scattering imperfections.  Several brands have come out with HD lines, including Smashbox, Makeup Forever and Cargo.  Cargo took it a step further by naming its line Blu_Ray, with an underscore rather than a dash.  Cute.

Is high-definition makeup really necessary for the masses, though?  I’ll admit that special occasions call for spectacular makeup.  I’ve seen brides-to-be get the “blushing bride” look with the help of airbrushing.  Airbrushed tans are a safe alternative toa real tan for girls wishing to look darker for prom.  But is HD makeup for the everyday grind really necessary?  If I need to run to Publix, I’m going to pass on the airbrush.  But that’s me.

What it comes down to is competition, in addition to our society’s need for physical perfection.  If your next door neighbor’s skin looks better than yours because she’s wearing HD makeup, you’ll be more likely to run out and buy some to “keep up with the Jones,’” as they say.  People see their favorite celebutantes getting airbrushed before awards shows, and shows like Sunset Tan only perpetuate the spray-tan craze.  But what’s so wrong with looking like a living, breathing human being?  Relax, guys.  Freckles give personality, and zits happen.  I say we leave the HD to our TVs.

Goodbye, tan-demonium

For years doctors have been warning us about the dangers of the sun.  “Wear protective clothing,” they cautioned.  We wore short-shorts and tank tops.  “Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” they pleaded.  That’s feasible, if you’re a vampire.  “Wear sunscreen,” they begged.  Well, sunscreen takes too long to apply  for people who don’t even have time for breakfast.  Plus, it’s sticky.  Yuck.  But something tells me people are going to start listening, not because there’s a skin cancer epidemic or because those crow’s feet are beginning to show, but because the fashion industry says so.  White is the new black. 

The Huffington Post’s Verena von Pfetten says it best: Tan is the New Tacky.  Unfortunately, I don’t know how long this counter-trend will last.  Tanning trends, like all fashion crazes, seem to move in all-too-predictable cycles; in the fall and winter, pale skin accentuates the richer burgundies, ceruleans and jades that dominate the clothing industry, whereas in the spring, tans make lighter colors pop.  I’m sure that come March, every magazine will once again be touting the faux glow. 

Back in the olden days, I’m talking medieval times, pale was the way to be.  Look at Queen Elizabeth I, she took pale to a whole new level.  Whiteness was a way of saying to the world, “I haven’t been working the fields with the boorish serfs, just look at how creamy my skin is.”  Back then it was also attractive to be fat, for the same reasons.  Beauty was much easier then, imagine how happy starved tanorexics would be if they could just let loose and be fat and white.

In many countries, like Africa and Asia, it is still en vogue to be fair.  Some of the most popular beauty products abroad contain skin-lightening agents.  One such agent is hydroquinone, a skin-whitening product that is used in the U.S. for melasma.  It’s also good for freckles and acne scars, by the way.  So why does it seem like every country except the U.S. is embracing the natural?  Because other countries have caught on to the fact that fair skin looks delicate and elegant, and you don’t die from being pale.

White is a’ight.

Not an idea to bat your lashes at

Some beauty rituals, like applying listick, are considered commonplace.  Some are slightly more extravagant indulgences, like a hair glossing treatment before a big event.  Then there are rituals that fall in the “oh-my-God-she-spent-what ?” category.  Twenty-four-karat gold facials and Evian baths are included in this group.

Falling somewhere between indulgent and over-the-top are eyelash extensions.  Eyelash extensions are synthetic fibers that are attached, one by one, to your own natural eyelashes to create a certain look.  You can place a few extensions on your outer lashes for an innocent doe-eyed look, or you can be a vamp and get fuschia fringe.  The entire process will set you back a few hours and a few hundred dollars, depending on how many extensions you want.

The XTreme Lashes commercial website has a good before and after gallery if you’re curious to see what eyelash extensions look like in general.  But don’t be fooled — this is what a talented, licensed professional can achieve, not someone who works at the nail salon at the local mall.  There have been plenty of eyelash extension horror stories, ranging from temporary loss of eyelashes to blindness.  

This woman “unleashed her inner femme fatale” with eyelash extensions.  But I’m waiting for the article she’s going to write once she needs a touch-up.  Three of my coworkers got eyelash extensions over the summer.  They looked gorgeous; their lashes were full and flirty enough to make me almost want some.  Almost.  As the month passed, their extensions began falling out — with their natural eyelashes still attached.  One of the girls swore off extensions and begrudgingly waited for her lashes to grow back.  But the other two were already addicted to the look of luxurious lashes and had them touched up nearly every month.

Eyelash extensions are like acrylic nails or hair extensions.  They look great if you have the time and money to keep them up.  Otherwise, they just do damage.  I myself will never opt for eyelash extensions.  The new mascaras that use fibers to elongate lashes with each coat, such as Imju Fiberwig or Blinc, are fantastic for everyday wear.  If I really need some outrageous eyelashes for an event, like fast-approaching Halloween, I can always resort to falsies.  Remember, girls, you only get one pair of eyes.

Are tattoos still taboo?

Once upon a time, tattoos were tough-looking badges of the flesh, proudly worn by rebels. Nowadays, it seems taboo not to have a tattoo. Everyone is getting inked, from die-hard hipsters to ardent churchgoers. 

So-called “straight-edge” people somehow manage to make tattoos look wholesome. Although they’re covered in tats from head to toe, Bible scriptures and religious symbols hardly look edgy. I’ve overheard numerous people say, “I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs, but I have nothing against tattoos.  Wanna see all five of mine?”. Even Jewish people are jumping on the bandwagon, despite the controversial and perhaps misguided notion that tattoos are banned within their religion.

Tattoos are difficult to remove from skin, and they’re becoming just as difficult to remove from pop culture.  Garish T-shirts and hats with Ed Hardy tattoo designs disappear from shelves within days of arrival.  Kat Von D, a tattoo artist from TLC’s show, “Miami Ink,” recently came out with a tattoo-inspired makeup line for Sephora.  The staff of The New York Times recently noticed the increased visibility of tattoos, and the fact that tatoos are becoming increasingly prevalent among the elite. 

Tattoos mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people.  I love tattoos on everyone — except myself.  Unless the tattoo is entirely cliche, like a tribal tattoo around a man’s bicep or a rose on a woman’s ankle, I think it can make someone stand out in a creative and intimate fashion.  Yet while I admire somebody’s tattoo, I can’t help but envision the tattoo-removing (not to mention very painful and expensive) laser they might be seeking once their excitement wears off and the ink does not.

This election, skin is in

While browsing huffingtonpost.com earlier today, I found blogger Darryle Pollack’s opinion on why John McCain shouldn’t be president.  No surprise there; it’s a political blog and political bloggers tend to have strong opinions.  But her post didn’t have anything to do with her political stance, or McCain’s platforms, or even a recent scandal.  The reason McCain should not be elected, she said, is because he was diagnosed with melanoma in the past. 

Although her argument is a fair one, I disagree.  According to Melanoma.com,      

“The chance of getting melanoma increases as you get older, but people of any age can get melanoma. In fact, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults. Each year, more than 50,000 people in the U.S. learn that they have melanoma…If melanoma is found and treated in its early stages, the chances of recovery are very good.”

As with any disease, the key is prevention.  Something tells me that McCain is equipped with competent doctors that are probably more in tune with his body than he is, so I doubt the spread of his melanoma is a major issue.  I might not agree with McCain’s politics, but at the same time I don’t believe his past bouts with melanoma should be what holds him back in the election.   

On that note, the September issue of the Archives of Dermatology states that estradiol, an estrogen cream, is ineffective at repairing skin that has aged as a result of sun damage.  The cream was going to be used to treat damaged skin on the hands, face and neck.  But because these areas are the places most exposed to harmful UV rays, the cream is unfortunately unable to generate collagen in those areas.

Please, people, wear sunscreen!  If you can practice safe sex, you can practice safe sun.

If it can happen to a potential president, it can happen to you.

Some plastic surgery patients just don’t make the cut

I recently came across a New York Times article about plastic surgeons who turn away patients.  It seems somewhat difficult to fathom a plastic surgeon, a profession seemingly overrun with superficial money-grubbers, refusing what could end up being thousands of dollars from a willing patient.  But having worked for a plastic surgeon, I’m surprised more doctors don’t turn away patients. 

Take the textbook situation of the petite twentysomething who comes in wanting disproportionately large breast implants to “make her boyfriend happy.”  Post-surgery she might be pleased with the results because of the attention she’s getting from her boyfriend, but the surgeon feels that post-breakup she could regret her decision.  Or there’s the woman who comes in wanting the “trout pout” look of drastically overplumped lips.  She continues to demand collagen until her lips look like overstuffed sausages, despite the doctor’s recommendations.

 

But is it really up to the doctor to decide what is best for patients?  Or do the patients dictate what is best for themselves?

I think the doctor is usually wise to refuse a patient.  If a person dissatisfied with their surgery decides to vent their frustrations online, the doctor’s reputation could be ruined no matter how well the procedure was performed.  The doctor could lose money because other potential patients saw a nightmarish review and opted for another surgeon.  Sometimes it’s an ethical issue, but sometimes it’s an issue related solely to the doctor’s ego — an artist wouldn’t settle for a sub-par canvas, after all. 

A plastic surgeon playing the role of psychologist when deciding a patient’s reason for surgery is unfortunate but not uncommon.  Trying to keep a spouse, land a job or attemtping to pursue perfection are never reasons to opt for surgery.  Although results are a guarantee with cosmetic surgery, they might not always be the desired results if obtained for the wrong reasons.

The bottom line is that doctors now have the freedom to turn away patients knowing there will be plenty more, just as patients can rest assured knowing they can find another qualified doctor.  Plastic surgery is becoming an increasingly viable option for people of all incomes due to a widening array of services and payment plans.  You might not be able to pay your mortgage, but you can definitely get that thigh lipo.

So, if you’re thinking about having a procedure done, ask the doctor if they refuse patients.  If they have, take it as a form of credibility.  At least you know he or she won’t be like this guy.

The beauty of Botox goes far beyond frown lines

According to a Forbes article, Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, is claiming that the toxin can relieve migraines.  Ah, Botox…Taking over the world one syringe at a time.  There’s nothing like a little well-placed Botulinum Toxin Type A to really combat those frown lines.  After all, injecting oneself with a potentially lethal toxin is simply the price one pays for beauty.

For those who prefer a more literal reference to price, Botox runs about $400 a pop, every four to six months.  But while most people know about the wrinkle-relaxing benefits of Botox, few are informed about its many other uses.  Other uses of Botox include the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), TMJ, facial tics and enlarged prostate.  But that’s not all.  It can also be used for anal fissure, excess salivation and spastic disorders such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s.  I don’t think that’s a bad resume at all for a substance that was discovered after a bout of sausage poisoning.

Tanorexia is taking over college towns

As if college wasn’t risky enough, a study conducted by the Fox Chase Research Center recently found that more than a quarter of students at a large university showed signs of being addicted to tanning.  Apparently cocaine doesn’t cut it anymore.  Although I joke, this is actually a very serious issue.  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the United States.  It is also one of the most easily avoided.  Still, it seems hard to envision the occasional day spent at the pool as a gateway drug of sorts to life-threatening UV overexposure.  Perhaps that is why so many people remain skeptical of the danger behind this trend. 

Is she getting a killer tan, or killer cancer?

But I think it’s easy to see why tanning is addictive, in addition to the fact that scientists have proven UV rays can actually induce a physical high.  For one thing, tanning is cheap compared to other drugs.  It typically costs less than $10 to tan at a salon, and the sun is free.  When you tan, you get immediate results.  A tan makes you appear slimmer in the same way that a black shirt does, because dark colors create the illusion of a smaller size.   As for the psychological component, the media is saturated with bronzed celebrities that college-aged people emulate on a daily basis. 

I think of it this way: You may look good now, but you won’t look so hot in 10 years when a dermatologist is hacking basal cell carcinomas out of your face.  So, until people realize the seriousness of this trend, I doubt we’ll see any Tanners Anonymous support groups anytime soon.  In the meantime, may I suggest a sunless tanner?