fresh no ads
The Top 10 beauty breakthroughs for 2012 | Philstar.com
^

Fashion and Beauty

The Top 10 beauty breakthroughs for 2012

Dr. Vicki Belo - The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Two of the most common questions I get asked are “What is beautiful?” and “How can you make me beautiful?”

Before people turn to science to become the best version of themselves, they must understand the math. Though the standard of beauty changes through time, it always boils down to symmetry and proportion.

 A beautiful face for women usually fits the golden ratio. The face should be 1.5 longer than it is wide. The height and length of the ear should be equal to the nose. The three segments of the face must be equal, and so on. There’s nothing sexist about it since men also have to “measure up” to a standard. Ideally, they should have broad shoulders, ripped abs, and a waist that’s 1.6 times smaller than the diameter of their chests.

And while it is said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” the truth is that the majority of the aesthetic sense of people is still highly influenced by these standards. This is the reason having clear skin is esteemed all over the world, not only because it looks good, but it seems to be an indication of good health.

My answer to the second question changes across time. Technology is so dynamic that on a regular basis, we get breakthroughs that could aid in enhancing beauty. The Belo Medical Group has always kept abreast of these things in line with our never-ending pursuit of physical perfection for our dear clients. The face, the neck, breast, butt, arms — name it, we can Belo beautify it!

Here are the latest, top 10 breakthroughs in the world of beauty that Belo offers:

1. Fractional Carbon Dioxide Resurfacing

with Meso Infusion of Stem Cell Therapy

For years, dermatologists have known how to combat acne. But it’s only in the recent past that new technology was developed that could effectively get rid of the peaks and valleys of acne scarring. The principle behind this technology is as simple as building concrete roads. The fractional beam of the CO2 laser vaporizes the “mountain” (acne scar) and fills the “valleys” (depressed scars) by wounding its base and triggering the healing mode. In local parlance, “inaayos ang bako-bako ng mukha.” The healing is hastened by meso infusion of stem cells and growth factors which are derived from the foreskin of newly-circumcised babies.

2. Radiesse or “fake bone” made from calcium hydroxyl apatite

While Hyaluronic is by far the most popular filler on the market, Radiesse has a definitive advantage in some areas that require a harder and firmer substance like the nose and chin and the width of the eye equidistant with the width of the nose.

Now, it is possible to do a “nose lift” with this filler. The advantage over a surgical noselift is that it hardly has any downtime because it is non surgical. The typical problems of a Filipino nose which are a lack of nose bridge, a tip that’s too round and a nose that is too wide, can easily be corrected by Radiesse. The procedure can take less than 30 minutes and the result is natural. Radiesse results last from 18 months to two years.

3. Fat Transfers

Fat used to be my worst enemy. I wanted to annihilate it but now, it is my bestfriend. New studies have shown that fat is full of good things like adult stem cells, growth factors and collagen and when used in the proper way, it can totally enhance beauty.

The hottest trend in the United States is to use fat transfers to create totally natural breasts and buttocks. Fat is lipo-suctioned gently using a syringe and not a machine. The fat is then purified and injected into the breast or buttocks or wherever it is needed. Results are instant and natural. So far, our patients have been extremely happy.

4. RevLite

We live in a tropical country and most of us have slim build so it makes no sense why we shouldn’t wear sleeveless blouses. Unfortunately, some of us have dark underarms so we’d rather always wear clothes with sleeves rather than show off the, well, unsightly body part. But now, there’s no need to hide as RevLite Laser can easily and painlessly whiten underarms. Using a different wavelength, the laser can remove colors from skin. The beam of the laser is so precise that the surrounding skin remains unaffected. RevLite is so powerful that it can also erase tattoos, freckles, melasma and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

5. ZO Medical Products

Some people think that one has to go under the knife to see real results when it comes to beautification, but it’s not true. This newest skin line from Dr. Zein Obagi is truly a wonder drug of sorts that can refresh the skin and wipe away the years with consistent use. Our endorser and my friend, Zsa Zsa Padilla, can attest to this as she has been using it with amazing results.

The therapeutic products and protocols address the following: pigmentation disorders, sebum, sun damage, Pilosebaceous unti disorders, and other inflammatory disorders regardless of skin type. By the way, ZO medical products are not sold over the counter and that’s where we can help you (wink, wink).

6. Ulthera

Want the gain without the pain? No problem. The High Intensity Focused Ultrasound therapy is the non-surgical option to getting a face lift or eliminating folds under the butt. Yes, non-surgical. We just apply the apparatus over the problem area and like a magic wand, you can actually see it banish all your troubles away. Of course, the more you do it, the less you see of the “worrisome” part. For droopy eyes and dark circles under the eyes, and to lift the jawline, the Ulthera and Fractional Combination are your dream team.

7. Cool Sculpt

Although this latest laser machine to “kill” fats is also used by my women patients, the men have been more taken by Cool Sculpt. The macho men can take care of themselves most of the time, but many of them still have a hard time eliminating those love handles no matter how many times they do those crunches. The truth is, sometimes you can’t fight fire with fire. Cool Sculpt freezes the fats by specific target areas and you drain those frozen fats naturally by the lymphatic drainage system of the body. Just one month, and you say goodbye to all the bulges. Be ready to buy smaller jeans.

8. Combating Cellulite

Although at Belo, we have a wide array of treatments to get rid of cellulites like Thermage and Vela Smooth, the most effective by far is the Cellulite Procedure. Cellulite is fat that has escaped from the third layer of the skin to the second layer which is the dermis. Since it’s so near the surface of the skin, it has the “cottage cheese” appearance seen right under the skin. A 50-percent improvement is seen one month after the first treatment.

9. Dental Implants

Although dental implants have been around for a while, their importance in keeping the face youthful has just been discovered. Our bones resorb as we get older. The teeth help keep the integrity of the skull especially around the mouth. The moment you have a tooth pulled, it must be replaced immediately by an implant to avoid the crumbling or the sinking of the bone. At Belo, we have realized the importance of working hand in hand with the most well-trained dentists to keep our patients looking young and gorgeous. We have thus assembled the best of the best under Belo Dental.

10. Tite FX

The thing to remember is that not all Radio Frequency (RF) machines are created equal. The Rolls Royce of RF machines is definitely the Tite FX. It melts fats and tightens skin non-surgically. It is most effective on the back and waist areas. The results are long lasting and quite impressive.

Today, people are living longer and healthier lives and they desire to look as young as they feel. As a cosmetic surgeon, I am inspired and excited by the way technology and science have given us tools to help people stay vibrant, younger-looking, and more gorgeous.

Remember that when it comes to your body and face, it is always best to entrust them only to doctors who have tons of experience and extensive training. Doctors who have the complete tools like state- of -the-art lasers that help them create the most flattering results.

After all, you only have one body and one face. They deserve nothing but the best.

* * *

For information, you can download the Belofied app on your iPhone or call 819-BELO for inquiries.

 

0PT

COOL SCULPT

LEFT

MARGIN

RADIESSE

Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with