We invited Kellie Stone, who often writes about skin care at womenslifelink.com, to try our products. Here’s what she had to say:

“You Need These Products!

I want to tell you about some fabulous skin care products I’ve had the pleasure of using. Dr. Michelle Copeland, renowned plastic surgeon and author, created a line that surpasses most out there in quality and effective ingredients.  My first exposure to Dr. Copeland was when I read her book, “The Beautiful Skin Workout”, which details a healthy skin regimen for all ages.  After looking for products to use myself, I graciously received some complimentary full-sized bottles from her company.  And just to let you know, I’m offering a starter set (valued at $126.00) to one lucky reader during the upcoming September 15 and 16 Blogmania.  Trust me; you want these products!”

Read more of this review

Be sure to bid on a basket filled with Dr. Michelle Copeland Skin Care products at the 7^th Annual Hamptons Happening to benefit The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation – an international organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer. The event also features tastings prepared by notable chefs from restaurants including  Le Monde, Bobby Van’s  and Della Femina, wine tastings and many more festivities.

Samuel Waxman benefit to take place at the Sagaponack Sculpture Field - Saturday, August 14, 2010.

The New York Times takes on the controversy over a teenage Glee cast member who has reportedly used Botox to contour her face. I commented on this a few weeks ago and feel strongly about taking each teenager’s case individually. Many times, cosmetic procedures can help develop self-esteem at a critical time in life, but teenage patients must be mature enough to have realistic expectations of treatment and recovery.

The article goes on to discuss an off-label use of Botox for jawline re-contouring. Botox can be used to relax muscles which cause the lower half of the face to appear bulkier. Botox can be used this way but it is important to consult a plastic surgeon for this type of procedure as nerves, glands and muscles can be damaged if injections are improperly executed.

Yesterday we discussed more invasive techniques to improve the contour of upper arms by removing fat and tightening sagging and drooping skin. skin, Thermage is a non-invasive (no incision) procedure that can renew contours and stimulate your body to make healthier collagen—the building block that provides structure to your skin. The procedure uses radiofrequency technology called ThermaCool® that has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to smooth out wrinkles tighten sagging skin. Fast and easy, Thermage requires no downtime from normal activities. And unlike laser treatments, Thermage can be performed on patients of all skin types and has been approved by the FDA for improving cellulite. In only one treatment, patients report smoothing of dimples with lasting results. Tighten and lift without surgery, injections, or downtime. A recent enhancement has made Thermage virtually painless.

57 year old before and after Thermage treatment to tighten skin on arms

Especially in summer, arms can really show off a good physique. Unfortunately, it can be a tough area to address through exercise, even if you’ve gotten in shape, skin can sag and droop. Moderately droopy arms can be addressed with liposuction, but severely hanging skin is best remedied through a brachioplasty or arm lift.  Using liposuction, excess fat is sucked out, and then connective tissues are tightened, extra skin is removed and skin is sutured back into place. Patients can get back to their regular routines within a week, with the exception of heavy lifting or raising arms over the head for a few more weeks.

Before and after brachioplasty, surgical arm lift

Before and after liposuction

If you are tired of ingrown hairs and irritation from waxing and shaving, laser hair removal offers freedom from unwanted body hair. Now popular with both men and women, it is best suited for darker hair but new advances even allow reduction in gray or blonde hair. Commonly performed on the face, upper lip, neck, chest, around the areola, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs, it cannot be used on the eyes. Dr. Copeland uses a variety of FDA approved lasers, such as the Light Sheer® laser, for permanent hair removal for all skin types. Patients are so pleased with the results and invariably tell me they wish they had done it sooner – especially considering the time and money they have spent over the years on temporary fixes.

And here’s a tip from Dr. Copeland on shaving and waxing: use AHA Cream to exfoliate the area before hair removal to help prevent ingrown hairs.

I am always reminding patients of the dangers of sun exposure, and especially UV exposure from tanning beds.  The New York Times looked into the UV lamps used at nail salons, since they are essentially the same as tanning beds. There are no large studies on the link between UV nail lamps and skin cancer, but there is anecdotal evidence to support a relationship. An expert consulted in the article agrees that the UV exposure from using the lamps once or twice a week is significant, and suggests minimizing use or avoiding it altogether. I have to agree, it’s easy enough to let your nails dry on their own, and when you consider the UV exposure that we can’t avoid, it’s better to be on the safe side.  This is also a good reminder to use sunblock on hands, feet, arms and other areas that are exposed to UV rays that we often don’t consider.

Botox is a step closer to adding migraine prevention to its label. Regulators seem inclined to approve Allergan Inc’s wrinkle drug Botox to prevent migraine headaches in millions of Americans, industry analysts said, based on information the drugmaker released on Monday. Botox seems to block brain messenger chemicals, called neurotransmitters, that transmit pain, said Dr. David Simpson, a professor of neurology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. “Current drugs to prevent migraines are far from perfect, so this is a potential significant advance,” said Dr. Simpson.

Botox is also effective in reducing excessively sweaty armpits,  hands  and feet.

The Super Saturday 13 “designer garage sale” raised $3.3 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Our Rewind Eye Formula and Rewind Reparative Night Serum got a tremendous response and sold out only two minutes into my appearance on QVC. We know many of you were disappointed so have decided to extend “Super Saturday” to Tuesday: for one day only we will offer a special OCRF REWIND DUO – supersized Rewind Eye Formula 1oz and Rewind Reparative Night Formula- at 50% off and will donate 20% of each sale to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.  So do something good for yourself and for a good cause! And for those of you who got through on Saturday, thanks for your support.

QVC Host Lisa Robertson with Dr. Copeland on Saturday from Bridgehampton

Here’s a review of Change Your Looks, Change Your Life that appeared in Dan’s Papers a few years ago. If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery, this book remains an essential guide to the options available from minor to major. “Who said beauty is only skin-deep? Certainly not anyone who has broken off a promising relationship, or suffered a plunge in self confidence, thanks to crow’s feet, saddlebags, or a scowl embedded in your forehead. Appearance, in fact, has an enormous impact on emotional well being and quality of life, for people of all ages and for men as well as women.

An accomplished and renowned plastic surgeon and Bridgehampton resident, Dr. Michelle Copeland, shows how easy it can be for just about anyone to improve his or her appearance—and transform their entire outlook. It’s all in her informative uplifting book, Change Your Looks, Change Your Life. The book, packed with quick fixes and cosmetic surgery solutions, is worth every penny and most enjoyable reading, shows you how Dr. Copeland is a firm believer in cosmetic wellness—making physical changes for the emotional and health benefits. Dr. Copeland presents a comprehensive, detailed and realistic guide to the many cosmetic options available, with an emphasis on the least invasive and most effective, safe and affordable procedures.”