CELEBRITY BEAUTY SECRETS

Michelle Harris

We all want to look our best, but for celebrities who are always under the microscope, it's a necessity. Thanks to new advances in nutrition, supplementation, and science, we can keep our skin looking great as we age, without the risks and expense of plastic surgery.

Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to insure radiant skin. What we've heard for years still rings true: Beauty comes from the inside. This is why it makes so much sense (yet so few of us do it) to drink our 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. The average adult body is about 60 percent water. If you want your complexion to appear dewy and fresh, then you need that water intake! Always keep a bottle of water on hand, even when doing something as simple as running errands. You can find anything from sports waters that contain electrolytes, to mildly flavored waters, to waters that contain added nutrients. Because of the myriad of choices available, with a little effort you should be able to get enough water and resist the temptation to drink soft drinks. Plus, did you know that most soft drinks can actually dehydrate you? Without question, water is your best beverage bet.

Dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, author of the book, Wrinkle Free Forever, knows what it takes to keep skin glowing. According to Dr. Murad, whose celebrity client list boasts Calista Flockhart, Lucy Liu, Cheryl Tiegs, and Brooke Shields, " The skin is the largest, most visible organ in the human body, and it reflects the aging processes, including water loss, that occur throughout the body."

One of the newest trends in Hollywood is to get skin looking great from the inside through supplementation. Supplements, such as those containing essential oils and antioxidants, can increase skin hydration. Damage from free radicals, along with inflammation, is associated with skin damage, disease, and overall aging. Supplements containing antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta carotene, green tea and coenzyme Q-10 are excellent at helping to destroy free radicals, giving skin a younger looking appearance. I take an assortment of supplements every day as part of my health and beauty regimen. Look for the right combination of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids specifically designed for the benefit of skincare. Find the formula that is right for you!

Of course, the superstars don't solely rely on diet and supplements to look terrific. New technology is creating ways to keep young without going under the knife. People are seeking ways to maintain that youthful appearance minus the risks and downtime associated with plastic surgery.

Can you get better skin by sitting in front of your clock radio? Not really, but the LED lights that most clock radios contain are one of the newest forms of skin rejuvenation. Gentle Waves utilizes LED Photo modulation. This is the interaction of light delivered through Light Emitting Diodes to activate cells so that they produce more collagen. The treatment only needs to be done once a week for 8 to 10 sessions, and takes about 30 seconds. It's completely painless and needs no preparation or anesthesia. It's also not a quick fix. When finished with a Gentle Waves treatment, the skin will look the same as it did prior to the treatment, without redness or irritation. It takes at least 6 to 8 weeks for the skin to begin to produce more collagen, in order to see results. Dr. Harold Eisenman is a cosmetic dermatologist located in Boca Raton, FL who has been treating his patients with Gentle Waves. "Gentle Waves is a unique new technology in the form of laser mediated photo dynamic therapy, which offers advantages for skin rejuvenation not seen from non-ablative or ablative technology. It's extremely safe, non-painful, and patients get a beautiful glow to their complexion." says Eisenman.

There are also many new spa treatments to revitalize skin. Spa 415 located in Beverly Hills, CA, is a celebrity favorite. Stars such Tyra Banks and actress Gabrielle Union love the innovative therapies offered at Spa 415. One of the hottest new ones is Laser Collagen Rejuvenation. It's an exciting, painless procedure designed to encourage healthier looking skin and improve cosmetic flaws such as fine wrinkles, acne scars, aging, or sun-damage. This non-invasive laser treatment also reduces the noticeable vessels caused by telangiectasia (spider veins) and diffuses redness associated with rosacea. By delivering laser energy through the skin's surface to the deeper tissues, it gently stimulates the production of your own collagen, while protecting the outer layer. There is no downtime from redness or peeling. Spa 415 recommends a minimum of six sessions about two weeks apart.

Another treatment used by spas and physicians alike is the FotoFacial. A pulsed light treatment, the FotoFacial was developed by a dermatologist as a non-invasive method to improve skin without downtime. A non-laser medical device is used to deliver gentle pulses of light to the skin. FotoFacial can be beneficial in reducing fine lines, treating rosacea, decreasing pore size, and evening out skin tone. Boca Raton, FL-based plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Man is a proponent of the FotoFacial, which he uses in his medispa. Says Dr. Man, "FotoFacial is a great rejuvenator which takes just a few minutes. It improves redness, blemishes, and sun damaged skin, and can be used as a quick touch up during lunchtime. Our patients are very active and busy, so they like the fact that it is performed in less than 15-30 minutes, and that they can return to work and other activities right away. Their face feels fresher and they look better."

With so many options to choose from, it's not just celebrities who can reap the benefits of beautiful skin. Thanks to supplements, science, and some common sense, better looking skin is now available to everyone.