Three Cheers For The Perfect Tan!

After a trip to the beach where I overdid the sun and have the bumps to prove it, I'm more aware than ever that too much sun just isn't healthy or attractive. And of course we've been hearing plenty of news about the dangers of tanning beds. So it seems that self tanners are the way to go even though we have probably all had our issues with applying them or getting uneven results.

Let's hear a big cheer for a product that seems to solve those problems and leaves our skin healthy, glowing and youthful!

Abby Dymond who is a Washington Redskins Cheerleader promotes a tanning system called Sunbrushed Glow that is virtually fail proof, safe and easy. And the way she became involved is an interesting story in itself. Abby was inspired to jon the Sunbrush Organization through her participation in a "Sun safe" outreach project on behalf of the Melanoma Foundation and Sunbrushed, a sponsor of the cheerleaders. Along with her teammate, Ms. Maryland 2006, Brittany Lietz Cicala, a melanoma survivor and Sunbrushed user, she helped educate our youth on the importance of sunscreen and the dangers of tanning beds. She continues this outreach through Sunbrushed Glow, LLC’s www.sunbrushedglow.com professional revolutionary product while promoting the important message of sun safety.

Q: Abby tell us what your product, Sunbrushed Glow does?

A: Sunbrushed is a self-applied tanning system equal to a professional salon spray tan that is easily applied in 5 minutes. With this “sun safe” product you simply wash your skin’s surface using the tanning solution with a special micro-fiber washcloth. The bronzed tan result is immediate and during at least a five-hour waiting period your golden tan will continue to darken. Your result will be a Sunbrushed glow...
www.sunbrushedglow.com

With a Sunbrushed Multi-tan kit you can apply 6 to 8 full body tans. Included in the Multi-tan kit is everything you need for an application of Sunbrushed: tanning formula, micro-fiber cloth, after care lotion, exfoliant, gloves and a hair tie. A Sunbrushed tan can last 3-10 days. The tan is different for everyone. It depends on your skin type, how you naturally exfoliate, and how you care for your skin following the tanning session.

Q: How do you apply it?

A: Application is so easy. The entire process takes no more than 10 minutes. Put on the gloves provided, tie up your hair with the hair-tie in the kit and pour the Sunbrushed solution into a clean bowl. Soak the micro-fiber cloth in the solution until it is saturated completely and then squeeze out excess solution so that the cloth is damp, not dripping wet. Then simply wash on Sunbrushed all over your body like you would wash yourself with a washcloth. Go over hands lightly by pulling back the top of the glove and feet lightly.

A bronzed tan effect is immediate so you will be able to see exactly where you’re applying the product. When you’re finished, pour the solution from the bowl into the Sunbrushed container and put the cloth in the container and close it. This is how Sunbrushed is stored until your next use. Wait a few minuets to dry before putting on clothing and be sure not to get wet or sweat excessively during this time.

After a period of 6-8 hours take a shower and you will be left with a Sunbrushed glow. The kit provides after care lotion and moisturizing exfoliant to use before you tan to even out blotchy skin or after a few days to scrub off excess product.

Sunbrushed is great because you can apply the product and go about your day. You won’t look “muddy or dirty” like most products look when applied and Sunbrushed smells good so no one will notice you’re wearing it – Sunbrushed has a pleasant almond scent. Most people say it smells more like sunscreen, not self-tanner.

Q: What are the advantages of using this product as opposed to getting regular sun or going to a tanning salon?

A: Healthy, youthful skin.

With Sunbrushed you can achieve a SAFE and healthy tan without damaging your skin. The Sunbrushed method is the only FDA-approved safe way to tan.

The American Academy of Dermatology states there is no safe tan from a tanning bed. There is compelling and irrefutable scientific evidence tanning beds that emit ultraviolet radiation cause skin cancer - including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The FDA also advises avoiding an all over spray or mist that is difficult to avoid exposure in a manner for which it is not approved, including exposure in the area of the eyes, lips, mucous membrane or internally. The Sunbrushed wash-on formula is safe!

There are many more advantages to using Sunbrushed besides caring for the health of your skin. The Sunbrushed wash-on method virtually eliminates most problems associated with self-tanners.

A Sunbrushed Glow gives you:

· No orange color
· No blotching or streaking
· No offensive odor
· No complicated application process
· A convenient process
· Relief from having to hold your breath during application
· Privacy to apply the product in your own home
· A Sunbrushed tan is a fraction of the cost of salon spray tans and gives the same professional result.

Q: What has been the reaction from users of the product?

A: The reaction I get from first time users is overly positive and thankful! Users finally feel they have a professional, easy solution to sunbathing and a professional sun safe tanning option. Many Sunbrushed users stop using tanning beds completely. They are more aware of the risks of tanning, so they use sunscreen more often. They also don’t waste time and money on spray tans. Sunbrushed users are loyal, happy tanners. Many people can often be heard saying – “Sunbrushed for life!”

To order Sunbrushed Glow or find out more about Abby or the product just go to www.sunbrushedglow.com.


http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Effective Facials at A Special Price

It seems that spas/doctor's offices are upping the ante when it comes to facials these days. It's not enough to just have a more refined complexion or a little extra glow.

The facials being offered today have more steps, ingredients and equipment involved to address a wide array of issues and problems you may be having with your skin.

Here are a few of the special facials and deals being offered locally you might want to try if you're in need of some facial therapy!

Qi Spa in Georgetown www.qispadc.com is offering their Signature Facial at a special savings in July. The facial's high-powered antioxidant fruit blends and anti-aging peptides provide new ways to quench the skin’s need for protection and free radical fighting power. This facial can be applied to sun damaged, dehydrated, discolored, and irritated skin conditions.

After cleansing, toning and exfoliating, Qi's highly trained estheticians will determine which serums, masques and creams will best treat the individual client's skin concerns.

The facial is regularly $110 but is being offered at a savings of $15 in July for only $90.


If you want to experience the hottest celebrity facial, Bethesda, Md's Rockledge Spa www.dermskin.com (located within Dermatology and Clinical Skin Care Center) is
featuring their Fire & Ice Innovative Facials with your choice of an introductory or deluxe version.

This facial which was voted Celebrity Facial of the year by In Style Magazine, rapidly and safely resurfaces the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing, softening and encouraging cellular renewal.

The Introductory Facial which is regularly $150 is being offered for $100 in July and the Deluxe Facial which is normally $225 is now being offered at $175.

Virginia's Parma Spa www.parmaspa.com is promoting their version of microdermabrasion this month which is called ExcelleDerm. This is a medical microdermabrasion treatment performed by a licensed esthetician and designed to renew, redefine and rejuvenate the skin.

The treatment achieves some pretty amazing results and is able to improve dull or uneven skin color, relieve clogged pores and blackheads, refine the appearance of fine lines, crepey lines, large pores, acne and hyper pigmentation and remove surface debris allowing the skin to absorb topical medications.

ExcellaDerm is being offered at an $80 savings in July with the regular price of $175 reduced to $95.

http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

A Doctor With an Eye 4 Beauty

One of the main complaints from men and women as they hit the 40's and beyond is that they look tired no matter how much sleep they manage to get. Many times it's the lines, wrinkles and gravity that contribute to this feeling that we don't look as young or energetic as we might feel.

And one of the first areas to show age can be the eyes either on the upper lid,the lower lid or both.

A friend showed up at a restaurant recently and although we couldn't put our finger on what was different about her she seemed to look refreshed and like she had just come back from a vacation. As it turns out she had just gotten her eyes "done," the simple way of saying she just had an Upper Blepharoplasty.

One of the premiere cosmetic surgeons in our area for performing eye surgery is Dr. Soheila Rostami of Oculo Facial Plastics Consultants in Reston, VA. Dr. Rostami is a board -certified surgeon specializing in lacrimal, orbital and reconstructive eyelid surgery.

Dr. Rostami was gracious enough to share her expertise with BeautyInDC.com readers and answer our questions on eyelid rejuvenation.

Q: Dr. Rostami it seems that one of the first places that shows our age is our eyes. What are the most popular procedures you perform to rejuvenate them?

A: Upper blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery) is one of those procedures that can help us appear more youthful, because the excess skin and fat are removed from the upper eyelids, which helps to restore the look we had when we were younger.

Also popular are (1) lower blepharoplasty (under eye surgery) to reduce sagging skin and puffiness caused by herniated fat under the eyes; (2) brow lifts to pull-up the forehead muscle and put the eyebrows back in the position you had when younger; and (3) sometimes ptosis (droopy eyelid) repair with a technique called a levator advancement, where the eyelid muscles are tightened with sutures.

Q: Who is a good candidate for one of these procedures?

A: Anyone, male or female, who has excess upper or lower eyelid skin or bagginess. Sometimes, this skin hangs down on the eyelids and interferes with one’s peripheral vision. We often hear from patients that their eyelids are too heavy, and they must use their forehead muscles to hold their eyelids up. By the end of the day, they use their fingers to hold open their eyelids and let their forehead muscles relax. When they do this, they feel a great sense of relief.

Q: Could you describe what you do during an Upper Blepharoplasty?

A: This is a procedure that is easily performed in-office using a local anesthetic. This is an over-simplified explanation, but here are the basic steps. First, the excess eyelid skin that needs to be removed is carefully measured and marked. This is an important step, because if not enough skin is removed, you won’t be happy, and if too much skin is removed, it can cause functional eyelid problems. The eyelid area is numbed with a local injection and then swabbed with an antiseptic. An incision is made with a surgical blade along your natural eyelid crease, and then the excess skin and fat are removed. The incision is then closed with sutures. An ointment is applied to the suture line for the next few days. Ice packs are also encouraged to be used off and on for at least a day. Sutures are removed 7 days later.

Q: What about a Lower Blepharoplasty?

A: Because there is more discomfort associated with the lower blepharoplasty, I recommend that this procedure be done in an outpatient surgery center under IV sedation. There are two ways of doing lower blepharoplasty, and it all depends on whether or not there is a lot of excess skin. If there is puffiness from herniated fat, an incision is made from the inside of the bottom eyelid and the fat is removed. If there is sagging excess skin as well as herniated fat, an incision is made along the lower lash line, the fat and excess skin is removed, and then the area is sutured back together.

Q: Is there a long recovery time from these procedures?

A: The eye area is very vascular, meaning that there are many blood vessels in the area, so it is normal to experience bruising and swelling after surgery. Healing is very individualized – how fast you heal depends on your general health and how your body usually heals. Generally, you can expect to resume light activities in about 1-2 weeks after surgery, which means no heavy lifting and no vigorous exercise during the recovery time.

Q: Are there any risks involved?

A: All surgical procedures involve risk. As my patient, I want you to fully understand all the risks associated with these procedures, so that you can make an informed decision. There are healing symptoms like swelling and bruising, discomfort and pain, and itching and scar redness which are normal to experience. Other risks include bleeding, inflammation, infection, wound separation, etc., which are dealt with quickly to resolve. Some of the most serious complications are also extremely rare. These include allergic reactions, blindness and loss of life. I discuss these risks with my patients in detail during their consultation.

Q: Are your patients usually pleased with the results?

A: My patients and I both are usually pleased with the surgical results, as I have been doing these procedures for several years and consider myself skilled in what I do. I receive letters from them, telling me how much their appearance has improved and their outlook has changed. For some, the surgery is more about function – their peripheral vision is improved, their eyes are no longer tired and irritated, and they no longer have to hold up their eyelids with their forehead muscles. Others tell me they receive many compliments on the color of their eyes, which haven’t changed, but are now much more noticeable to others!

Q: What is the cost involved and does insurance cover any of these procedures?

A: On my website, www.Beauty4Eye.com, I have posted costs under the “Services” tab – the last item in the left hand column, called “Pricing/Menu.” For my self-pay patients, I try to be fair and make my fees reasonable, especially when combining procedures.

Upper blepharoplasty, levator advancement for ptosis repair, and/or eyebrow lifts are sometimes covered by insurance companies. In order for these procedures to be covered by your insurance plan, medical necessity must be proven through clinical notes, photographs, and visual field tests (which shows how badly your upper eyelids are affecting your field of vision). These items are sent in advance to your insurance provider to see if they will cover the procedures. Lower blepharoplasty is not a covered procedure by insurance; it is strictly cosmetic.

Dr. Soheila Rostami
1860 Town Center Drive, Suite 250
Reston, VA 20190
571-203-1300
www.beauty4eye.com

http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.