The Best and Worst Beverages for Weight Loss

Skinny Sipping: Drink Pounds Away
Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?

Spoiler: Soda

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Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you’re consuming hundreds of empty calories. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but the research is mixed on whether this switch results in weight loss. Some studies show a short-term benefit. Others find diet soda drinkers gain weight. If your calorie intake exceeds what you burn off, just switching to diet soda may not do the trick.lpers on the path to weight loss?


Helper: Water

Download:

Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day, and the benefits don’t stop there. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may encourage the stomach to feel full more quickly, so you don’t eat as much. In addition, new research suggests drinking plenty of water may have a positive effect on your metabolism.

Watch: The Worst Drinks in America | Eat This, Not That

Jury’s Out: Fruit Juice

Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has far more to offer in the way of nutrients. This presents a dilemma -- you want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. The safest bet: Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Look for the percent of real juice, noted on the nutritional label. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.

Helper: Vegetable Juice

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Vegetable juice is every bit as nutritious as fruit juice with about half the calories. One cup of tomato juice has 41 calories, compared to 122 calories for orange juice. Choosing juice with pulp provides some fiber, too, which can help control hunger.

Jury’s Out: Smoothies
Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you’ve got a delicious arsenal of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. The homemade variety is best when you’re counting calories, because you can control the ingredients -- skim milk and fresh or frozen fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may contain ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.

Jury’s Out: Low-Fat Milk

Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you  lose weight, new research now reveals. Some earlier studies suggested calcium may prompt the body to burn more fat, but there’s little evidence to support these claims. To get the benefits of calcium without getting extra fat, stick to skim or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Spoiler: Energy Drinks
Sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. People who are serious about losing weight should stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks.

Helper: Black Coffee
When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.

Spoiler: Fancy Coffee
Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, and/or a snowcap of whipped cream, that innocent mug of black coffee becomes a minefield of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can contain up to 570 calories per cup -- possibly more than an entire meal! If you don’t like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.

Helper: Green Tea

Download:

Green tea is another excellent choice when you’re looking for a little caffeine. Not only is it calorie-free, some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss.  It's not clear exactly how it aids weight loss, though caffeine and micronutrients called catechins may each play a role. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.


Spoiler: Coolers
Coolers may sound light and airy, but they are heavy on calories. A 12-ounce cooler containing wine can have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbs. The same size hard lemonade or bottled alcoholic "ice" can have as much as 315 calories. Regular wine is not exactly a diet drink, with 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. A low-calorie alternative is a wine spritzer: mix a dash of wine with some sparkling water.

Spoiler: Cocktails
A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out… An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.

Helper: Light Beer
OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A 12 oz serving has about 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.

The Best and Worst Beverages for Weight Loss

Skinny Sipping: Drink Pounds Away
Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?

Spoiler: Soda
Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you’re consuming hundreds of empty calories. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but the research is mixed on whether this switch results in weight loss. Some studies show a short-term benefit. Others find diet soda drinkers gain weight. If your calorie intake exceeds what you burn off, just switching to diet soda may not do the trick.lpers on the path to weight loss?



Helper: Water

Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day, and the benefits don’t stop there. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may encourage the stomach to feel full more quickly, so you don’t eat as much. In addition, new research suggests drinking plenty of water may have a positive effect on your metabolism.

Jury’s Out: Fruit Juice

Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has far more to offer in the way of nutrients. This presents a dilemma -- you want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. The safest bet: Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Look for the percent of real juice, noted on the nutritional label. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.

Helper: Vegetable Juice

Vegetable juice is every bit as nutritious as fruit juice with about half the calories. One cup of tomato juice has 41 calories, compared to 122 calories for orange juice. Choosing juice with pulp provides some fiber, too, which can help control hunger.

Jury’s Out: Smoothies
Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you’ve got a delicious arsenal of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. The homemade variety is best when you’re counting calories, because you can control the ingredients -- skim milk and fresh or frozen fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may contain ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.

Jury’s Out: Low-Fat Milk

Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you  lose weight, new research now reveals. Some earlier studies suggested calcium may prompt the body to burn more fat, but there’s little evidence to support these claims. To get the benefits of calcium without getting extra fat, stick to skim or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Spoiler: Energy Drinks
Sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. People who are serious about losing weight should stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks.

Helper: Black Coffee
When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.

Spoiler: Fancy Coffee
Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, and/or a snowcap of whipped cream, that innocent mug of black coffee becomes a minefield of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can contain up to 570 calories per cup -- possibly more than an entire meal! If you don’t like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.

Helper: Green Tea
Green tea is another excellent choice when you’re looking for a little caffeine. Not only is it calorie-free, some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss.  It's not clear exactly how it aids weight loss, though caffeine and micronutrients called catechins may each play a role. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.


Spoiler: Coolers
Coolers may sound light and airy, but they are heavy on calories. A 12-ounce cooler containing wine can have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbs. The same size hard lemonade or bottled alcoholic "ice" can have as much as 315 calories. Regular wine is not exactly a diet drink, with 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. A low-calorie alternative is a wine spritzer: mix a dash of wine with some sparkling water.

Spoiler: Cocktails
A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out… An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.

Helper: Light Beer
OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A 12 oz serving has about 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.

The Best and Worst Beverages for Weight Loss

Skinny Sipping: Drink Pounds Away
Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?

Spoiler: Soda
Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you’re consuming hundreds of empty calories. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but the research is mixed on whether this switch results in weight loss. Some studies show a short-term benefit. Others find diet soda drinkers gain weight. If your calorie intake exceeds what you burn off, just switching to diet soda may not do the trick.lpers on the path to weight loss?



Helper: Water

Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day, and the benefits don’t stop there. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may encourage the stomach to feel full more quickly, so you don’t eat as much. In addition, new research suggests drinking plenty of water may have a positive effect on your metabolism.

Jury’s Out: Fruit Juice
Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has far more to offer in the way of nutrients. This presents a dilemma -- you want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. The safest bet: Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Look for the percent of real juice, noted on the nutritional label. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.

Helper: Vegetable Juice

Vegetable juice is every bit as nutritious as fruit juice with about half the calories. One cup of tomato juice has 41 calories, compared to 122 calories for orange juice. Choosing juice with pulp provides some fiber, too, which can help control hunger.

Jury’s Out: Smoothies
Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you’ve got a delicious arsenal of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals. The homemade variety is best when you’re counting calories, because you can control the ingredients -- skim milk and fresh or frozen fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may contain ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.

Jury’s Out: Low-Fat Milk
Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, but calcium probably won't help you  lose weight, new research now reveals. Some earlier studies suggested calcium may prompt the body to burn more fat, but there’s little evidence to support these claims. To get the benefits of calcium without getting extra fat, stick to skim or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Spoiler: Energy Drinks
Sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. People who are serious about losing weight should stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks.

Helper: Black Coffee
When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer.

Spoiler: Fancy Coffee
Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, and/or a snowcap of whipped cream, that innocent mug of black coffee becomes a minefield of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can contain up to 570 calories per cup -- possibly more than an entire meal! If you don’t like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.

Helper: Green Tea
Green tea is another excellent choice when you’re looking for a little caffeine. Not only is it calorie-free, some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss.  It's not clear exactly how it aids weight loss, though caffeine and micronutrients called catechins may each play a role. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.


Spoiler: Coolers
Coolers may sound light and airy, but they are heavy on calories. A 12-ounce cooler containing wine can have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbs. The same size hard lemonade or bottled alcoholic "ice" can have as much as 315 calories. Regular wine is not exactly a diet drink, with 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. A low-calorie alternative is a wine spritzer: mix a dash of wine with some sparkling water.

Spoiler: Cocktails
A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out… An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.

Helper: Light Beer
OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A 12 oz serving has about 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.

Your Allergy Relief Kit

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on February 17, 2011
Sources: © 2011 WebMD


Skin Creams and Lotions

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For allergic skin reactions, keep small tubes of moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream in your allergy kit. Moisturizers can soothe the dry, itchy feeling, and hydrocortisone cream reduces inflammation. Having this and other items handy will help you tame allergy flares -- wherever they happen. For serious skin reactions or eczema, your doctor may recommend or prescribe other medications.


Injectable Epinephrine

Watch:  epinephrine injection medical facts



Ever had a severe allergic reaction? If you are at risk for a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), your kit should contain injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPen or Twinject. It can stop or curb the dangerous reaction some people have to allergens such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. A severe reaction may include swelling of the airways, difficulty breathing, and a significant drop in blood pressure. Severe reactions can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Eye Drops

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When your allergies leave you red-eyed and itchy, it may be helpful to have eye drops handy. They can reduce inflammation and symptoms of itching, tearing, and swelling. Ask your doctor which kind of eye drop is right for you.

Decongestants

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If stuffiness and congestion are your main concerns, include decongestants. Nasal tissues tend to swell during an allergic reaction, and decongestants counter it. They’re available over the counter as pills and may come combined with an antihistamine. People with certain conditions including high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid disease should talk with their doctor before taking decongestants.

Nasal Sprays

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Decongestants also come as nasal sprays. But these should not be used for more than a few days straight because they may make symptoms worse. Other nasal sprays may also help allergy symptoms. If allergies have your nose feeling dry, pack a nasal saline spray. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription nasal spray to help control nasal allergy symptoms.

Dust-Proof Pillowcase

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Frequent travelers with dust mite allergies, take note: those dust mite-proof, zippered pillow covers from home can fold up small. Keep one in your allergy kit, and you'll have a way to fend off this allergy and asthma trigger wherever you spend the night.

Where to Keep an Allergy Relief Kit

Download:

Once your allergy kit is complete, go over the contents with your doctor. Make sure you haven't left out anything critical. Then carry your kit with you at all times in a purse or briefcase. Another option is to make multiple kits -- one for home, one for your car, and one for work. Make sure to check periodically for items that may have expired or need replacing. When you travel, be sure to store a kit in your carry-on.

Your Allergy Relief Kit

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on February 17, 2011
Sources: © 2011 WebMD


Skin Creams and Lotions

For allergic skin reactions, keep small tubes of moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream in your allergy kit. Moisturizers can soothe the dry, itchy feeling, and hydrocortisone cream reduces inflammation. Having this and other items handy will help you tame allergy flares -- wherever they happen. For serious skin reactions or eczema, your doctor may recommend or prescribe other medications.


Injectable Epinephrine

Ever had a severe allergic reaction? If you are at risk for a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), your kit should contain injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPen or Twinject. It can stop or curb the dangerous reaction some people have to allergens such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. A severe reaction may include swelling of the airways, difficulty breathing, and a significant drop in blood pressure. Severe reactions can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Eye Drops

When your allergies leave you red-eyed and itchy, it may be helpful to have eye drops handy. They can reduce inflammation and symptoms of itching, tearing, and swelling. Ask your doctor which kind of eye drop is right for you.

Decongestants

If stuffiness and congestion are your main concerns, include decongestants. Nasal tissues tend to swell during an allergic reaction, and decongestants counter it. They’re available over the counter as pills and may come combined with an antihistamine. People with certain conditions including high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid disease should talk with their doctor before taking decongestants.

Nasal Sprays

Decongestants also come as nasal sprays. But these should not be used for more than a few days straight because they may make symptoms worse. Other nasal sprays may also help allergy symptoms. If allergies have your nose feeling dry, pack a nasal saline spray. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription nasal spray to help control nasal allergy symptoms.

Dust-Proof Pillowcase

Frequent travelers with dust mite allergies, take note: those dust mite-proof, zippered pillow covers from home can fold up small. Keep one in your allergy kit, and you'll have a way to fend off this allergy and asthma trigger wherever you spend the night.

Where to Keep an Allergy Relief Kit

Once your allergy kit is complete, go over the contents with your doctor. Make sure you haven't left out anything critical. Then carry your kit with you at all times in a purse or briefcase. Another option is to make multiple kits -- one for home, one for your car, and one for work. Make sure to check periodically for items that may have expired or need replacing. When you travel, be sure to store a kit in your carry-on.

Your Allergy Relief Kit

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on February 17, 2011
Sources: © 2011 WebMD


Skin Creams and Lotions

For allergic skin reactions, keep small tubes of moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream in your allergy kit. Moisturizers can soothe the dry, itchy feeling, and hydrocortisone cream reduces inflammation. Having this and other items handy will help you tame allergy flares -- wherever they happen. For serious skin reactions or eczema, your doctor may recommend or prescribe other medications.


Injectable Epinephrine

Ever had a severe allergic reaction? If you are at risk for a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), your kit should contain injectable epinephrine, such as EpiPen or Twinject. It can stop or curb the dangerous reaction some people have to allergens such as certain foods, medications, or insect stings. A severe reaction may include swelling of the airways, difficulty breathing, and a significant drop in blood pressure. Severe reactions can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Eye Drops

When your allergies leave you red-eyed and itchy, it may be helpful to have eye drops handy. They can reduce inflammation and symptoms of itching, tearing, and swelling. Ask your doctor which kind of eye drop is right for you.

Decongestants

If stuffiness and congestion are your main concerns, include decongestants. Nasal tissues tend to swell during an allergic reaction, and decongestants counter it. They’re available over the counter as pills and may come combined with an antihistamine. People with certain conditions including high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid disease should talk with their doctor before taking decongestants.

Nasal Sprays

Decongestants also come as nasal sprays. But these should not be used for more than a few days straight because they may make symptoms worse. Other nasal sprays may also help allergy symptoms. If allergies have your nose feeling dry, pack a nasal saline spray. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription nasal spray to help control nasal allergy symptoms.

Dust-Proof Pillowcase

Frequent travelers with dust mite allergies, take note: those dust mite-proof, zippered pillow covers from home can fold up small. Keep one in your allergy kit, and you'll have a way to fend off this allergy and asthma trigger wherever you spend the night.

Where to Keep an Allergy Relief Kit

Once your allergy kit is complete, go over the contents with your doctor. Make sure you haven't left out anything critical. Then carry your kit with you at all times in a purse or briefcase. Another option is to make multiple kits -- one for home, one for your car, and one for work. Make sure to check periodically for items that may have expired or need replacing. When you travel, be sure to store a kit in your carry-on.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures for the Face: Before-and-After Pictures

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on January 28, 2011
Sources: © 2009 WebMD


Mirror, Mirror, Say It Ain't So

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At some point, the mirror betrays you. It shakes your sense of youth with vivid signs of aging -- little wrinkles around the eyes or lips, age spots, maybe some sagging skin. There used to be few options for turning back the clock without going under the knife. But today, you can soften the signs of aging with a wide range of non-surgical procedures for the face. Learn how these techniques work -- and see before-and-after photos.


Botox Basics

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If forehead creases are bringing you down, Botox and Dysport injections can provide a temporary fix. Botox and Dysport contain the purified toxin of botulism bacteria. In tiny doses, this toxin relaxes the clenched facial muscles that cause crow's feet, frown lines, and the like. The injections take only a few minutes and cause minimal discomfort.



Botox: Before and After

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Botox injections usually take three to seven days to reach their full effect. The result is smoother skin in the treated area. As the muscles slowly regain the ability to contract, lines and wrinkles reappear. To maintain the desired effect, injections must be repeated every four to six months.


Chemical Peel Basics

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Chemical peels use an acid solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin. The solution often contains a combination of glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, phenol or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Application can take as little as 15 minutes and may cause some stinging and irritation. Over the next few days, the upper layers of skin will peel, revealing newer, younger and smoother looking skin.


Chemical Peel: Before and After

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A series of treatments can reduce age spots, fine lines around the mouth and eyes, acne scars, and wrinkles caused by sun damage or aging. Mild peels, like the one shown here, have more subtle results. The application may be repeated every few weeks until the desired effect is reached. Deeper peels initially cause swelling and crusting but ultimately have more dramatic results. Moderate to deep peels may be repeated in six to twelve months.


Microdermabrasion Basics

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You may have heard of dermabrasion, a procedure that sands away the top layer of skin. It's an effective way to treat severe sun damage, but it causes bleeding and requires a week of recovery time. Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical alternative. Often called a "power peel," it blasts the skin with tiny crystals that exfoliate the outer layer. This can reduce fine lines, brown spots, and mild acne scars -- usually with no recovery time.


Microdermabrasion: After

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As the outer layer of skin is exfoliated, the powdery dead skin cells are suctioned from the face (shown on left). Immediately following microdermabrasion, the newly revealed skin looks pink and feels tight, like a sunburn (shown on right). The irritation usually subsides in about 24 hours leaving subtle improvements in tone and texture. It can take up to 10 sessions, several weeks apart, before the differences are clearly visible.


Thermage Basics

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For saggy, crepe-like skin, thermage can come to the rescue. This device uses radio frequency energy to heat the skin. The heat stimulates the body's production of collagen, tightening the skin. Thermage can be painful, but one treatment is usually enough for good results.


Thermage: Before and After – Eyelids

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Droopy eyelids respond particularly well to thermage. The results won't appear until four to six months after the procedure, but the difference can be dramatic.


Nonablative Laser (Fraxel) Basics

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Nonablative lasers, such as Fraxel, penetrate beneath the surface of the skin without damaging the outer layer. This stimulates collagen production, reduces fine lines, and improves skin tone and firmness. The procedure can be painful, so a topical anesthetic is applied. Because nonablative lasers do not damage surface skin, there is no recovery time.


Nonablative Laser: Before and After

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Nonablative laser therapy is a good option for people hoping to improve both skin tone and texture without taking time off from work. Each session may cause mild redness, which improves quickly. For the best results, plan on four to six treatments with several weeks in between.


Nonablative Laser for Melasma

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Nonablative lasers are especially effective in treating melasma, the splotchy brown patches that often develop during pregnancy. This image shows a striking difference in the cheek area after four treatments with a Fraxel laser.


Diode Laser Basics

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People with severe acne are experiencing dramatic results from another laser procedure. Diode lasers can destroy the oil-producing glands that feed acne. Like Fraxel, diode lasers penetrate below the surface without damaging the skin's outer layer. The main side effect is short-term redness and inflammation, but patients usually do not require a recovery period.


Diode Laser: Before and After

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Diode laser therapy may require several sessions to maximize results. In this image, acne has improved significantly six months after a series of five diode laser treatments.


Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

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Like lasers, IPL goes below the surface to a deeper layer of skin called the dermis. Short pulses of light are administered to heat and destroy targeted cells and stimulate rejuvenation. Unlike a laser, IPL delivers a broad spectrum of light which can treat a variety of skin imperfections at the same time and causes only moderate sensation.


IPL: Before and After

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IPL can reduce the redness associated with Rosacea or lighten dark circles under the eyes caused by clusters of blood vessels showing through the skin. Several sessions of IPL vaporize the blood vessels, leaving the surface skin undamaged. IPL can also remove unwanted pigmentation (like melasma and age spots) by destroying pigmented cells.  IPL also stimulates collagen production, which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.


Cosmetic Filler Basics

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Cosmetic fillers are substances that help smooth facial wrinkles and folds by bulking up the tissue underneath. The fillers are injected directly into problem areas in hopes of reducing wrinkle lines and facial creases. Collagen, a natural firming fiber, is the oldest and best-known cosmetic filler. Newer alternatives include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate beads, and ordinary fat harvested from your own thigh or belly.


Cosmetic Filler: Before and After

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The results of hyaluronic acid injection, shown here, can last nine months or longer. The results of collagen injections vary but may need to be repeated every three to six months. The effects of injecting a wrinkle with fat cells are often permanent. Another filler that yields permanent results is polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA. PMMA has long been used by surgeons in bone cement for joint replacement, but is now approved for cosmetic procedures.


Making the Decision

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Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are not without risks. There's the possibility of an allergic reaction to topical anesthetics or injectable fillers. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can result in scarring or uneven skin color. But these procedures are generally considered less risky than cosmetic surgery. To assess your personal risks and benefits, talk to your dermatologist.

Watch: Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures - Before and After Pictures