We popped over to the new SkinSpirit location in Beverly Hills to see what all the buzz about and saw with our own eyes (and faces!) what this pioneer in advanced aesthetic treatments, medical-grade facials, and world class body services, is all about. Turns out – a lot! We will be heading back this May, to report on their signature facial and also a few more micro-tweaks with the incredible NP, Lynn Bartels. More about Lynn later, but she did the most amazing subtle refreshers with Botox and filler. Tiny micro-updates to balance, harmonize and refresh and the work was nothing short of amazing.
SkinSpirit is known for its expertise and exceptional service, with 17 luxurious locations throughout California, Texas, Washington and Utah – it’s the number one provider for Botox and dermal fillers in the U.S.
Their team of practitioners is considered best-in-class practitioners, they use up-to-date scientifically-proven methods, and offer a comprehensive suite of personalized, tailored services
The only way to ever report on anything involving aesthetics and injections is to experience it ourselves. Groomed LA has never and will never, write about anything that goes on or in your face and body, without firsthand trying for ourselves.
Lynn Bartels graduated from the Harbor-UCLA nurse practitioner program, with a dual degree in adult medicine and women’s health, and began her career as a nurse practitioner (NP) in cardio-thoracic surgery. She made the switch to aesthetics 17 years ago and was the first NP brought on board at SkinSpirit.
Today, Lynn treats patients from SkinSpirit’s Beverly Hills, Palo Alto and San Francisco clinics and stays on the cutting edge of new technology and techniques by working hands-on with thousands of patients a year. Recognized as an expert in the field of facial rejuvenation, Lynn specializes in creating custom non-surgical programs that use combination therapy to produce stunning results.
As a clinical expert, she is known for “training the trainers” and serves a national trainer for Allergan’s Medical Institute teaching her skills to residents, physicians and nurses around the country. Additionally, Lynn sits on several prominent medical advisory boards including SkinSpirit’s Medical Advisory Board and Allergan’s Aesthetics Advisory Board. She is a regular featured expert at the top national medical aesthetics conferences annually.
RESTYLANE LYFT FOR MIDFACE & CHEEK INJECTION VIA CANNULA Restylane Lyft Now Joins Restylane Silk as the Only Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Approved for Use with Cannula1, 2.
We are massive all-time fans of all things Restylane to soften lines and restore facial volume. We age. We lose volume. It’s that simple. The old expression, we need to choose between our asses or faces. I’d like to think to keep both going at full volume.
Forget the days of over-filling faces to look like puffer fish – that aesthetic is our biggest turn off and has never been something we even want to associate with. At Groomed LA, we simply want to share the best tools to make you look as awesome as you feel on the inside. We give you the best tools for inner work and the best for outer to reflect your awesomeness inside – that simple!
I have used fillers in the most delicate ways, to soften under eye circles and add some fullness in areas where the face started to thin out.
Restylane Refyne is FDA-approved for smile lines and now, Restylane® Lyft it is the first and only hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler approved for use to restore age- related volume loss in the midface and cheek area with a blunt tip cannula.
I worked with The Master Injector,Bernice Cohen, RN, PHN ,BSN, CANS, at AVA MD, as she is the expert trainer in this and tops in the country. It’s always thrilling to work with Bernice as she is such a top level pro in the field, I always learn so much and leave with my mind blown (on top of looking excellent).
Bernice Cohen is a Registered Nurse, nurse injector and laser specialist, as well as a Public Health Nurse with a B.S. degree in Nursing. Having joined the Ava MD practice in March of 2010, she is now a Top Trainer in the US for Galderma Injectables, teaching other doctors and injectors how to use Sculptra, Restylane, Restylane Lyft and Dysport. Born in Berlin, Germany and raised in Burbank, California, Bernice worked as an international model doing runway, print and commercial modeling with Ford and Elite for 15 years before making her transition to dermatology.
Why a cannula?
The use of a cannula may be associated with less potential damage to blood vessels, and may help minimize patient bruising, help decrease swelling, and allow for minimized downtime.
Natural-looking results, restored volume and fullness to the cheeks.
Restylane® Lyft
Created with XpresHAn Technology™, to help smooth moderate lines and provide the right amount of support and flexibility through a range of facial expressions
Integrates with your skin and acts like your body’s own hyaluronic acid
Gives the support you need while allowing a range of facial expressions
Restylane® Lyft is the first and only hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler approved for use to restore age- related volume loss in the midface and cheek area with a blunt tip cannula.1,2
What is a cannula? What are the benefits of injection with a cannula?
A cannula is a small, thin, flexible, blunt tip needle with a small opening on the side that provides an effective means for injecting HA dermal fillers into the skin.3
The use of a cannula may be associated with less potential damage to blood vessels, and may help minimize patient bruising, help decrease swelling, and allow for minimized downtime.4
Bernice in action….
Precise implantation of HA fillers is important for patient safety and for achieving the best aesthetic outcome and using a cannula can result in a more precise injection as compared to a needle.
When injecting with a cannula, a single-entry point is used so the cannula can be inserted through the entire midface or cheek area.6 When using a needle, the sharp tip of the needle penetrates through the skin down to the depth in each point where the filler is injected. In contrast to this, a cannula has a blunt tip, and requires only one to two insertion points on either side of the entire injection area.
Here’s what you can expect with Restylane Lyft for midface and cheek injection via cannula:
Bernice made sure to enhance my natural bone structure, not change it. The goal is to leave looking the same only BETTER!
Restored volume and fullness to the cheeks
Natural-looking results
May be associated with less bruising and decreased swelling compared to injection via needle4
Results proven to last up to 12 months1
Restylane Lyft is the only HA filler with three FDA-approved indications – the midface/cheek area, nasolabial folds, and back of the hands.1,2
For more information about Restylane® visit www.RestylaneUSA.com
Important Safety Information
The Restylane family of products includes Restylane®, Restylane-L®, Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine, Restylane® Silk, Restylane® Refyne, and Restylane® Defyne.
APPROVED USES
Restylane® and Restylane–Lyft® are for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane® and Restylane-L® are also indicated for injection into the lips in patients over the age of 21.
Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine is for deep implantation into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds and for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies in patients over the age of 21. Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine is also indicated for injection into the subcutaneous plane in the dorsal hand to correct volume deficit in patients over the age of 21.
Restylane® Silk is for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral wrinkles in patients over the age of 21.
Restylane® Refyne is for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, in patients over the age of 21.
Restylane® Defyne is for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, in patients over the age of 21.
Are there any reasons why I should not use products within the Restylane® family? (Contraindications)
To ensure a safe procedure, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment. You should not use products within the Restylane family if:
• You have severe allergies with a history of severe reactions (anaphylaxis)
• You are allergic to lidocaine or to any of the gram-positive bacterial proteins used to make hyaluronic acid
• You are prone to bleeding or have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder
Are there other precautions that I should discuss with my doctor?
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant. The safety of these products for use during pregnancy, or in women who are breastfeeding, has not been studied
• Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine, Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne are intended to treat facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane and Restylane- L are also intended for lip enhancement. Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine is also intended for injection in the dorsal hand to correct volume loss. Treatments in other areas of the face or body have not been evaluated in clinical studies.
• The safety and effectiveness of Restylane® Silk for areas other than the lips and perioral area have not been evaluated in clinical studies.
• Tell your doctor if you have any history of scarring, particularly thick and stiff scars, or any pigmentation (skin color) disorders. These side effects can occur with hyaluronic acid fillers in general.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning other laser treatments or a chemical peel, as there is a possible risk of inflammation at the treatment site if these procedures are performed after treatment
• Patients who experience skin injury near the site of injection with these products may be at a higher risk for side effects
• Tell your doctor if you are on any medications to decrease your body’s immune response (immunosuppressive therapy). Using these medications may increase your risk of bruising or bleeding at the gel injection site.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any “blood thinners” such as aspirin, warfarin, or any other medications that affect bleeding. Using these medications may increase your risk of bruising or bleeding at the gel injection site.
• The use of these products on gel injection sites with skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infections should be postponed until healing is complete. Use of product in these areas could delay healing or make your skin problems worse.
Tell your doctor if you have diseases, injuries, or disabilities of the hand.
What are the possible side effects?
The most commonly observed side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, lump formation, itching at the injection site, and impaired hand function. These are typically mild in severity and typically resolve in less than 7 days in nasolabial folds and less than 14 days in lips. Serious but rare side effects include delayed onset infections, recurrence of herpetic eruptions, and superficial necrosis at the injection site.
One of the risks with using this product is unintentional injection into a blood vessel. The chances of this happening are very small, but if it does happen, the complications can be serious, and may be permanent. These complications, which have been reported for facial injections, can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring of the skin.
As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.
*To report a side effect with any of the Restylane products, please call Galderma Laboratories, L.P at 1- 855-425-8722.
First of all, excuse the very peachy photos! My bedroom is basically a big peach (walls, curtains, all of it!) and I took these first thing in the morning.
So, what ya see is zero makeup and possibly sleep in my eyes. However – a couple of things to note! First I want to fill you in on an AMAZING lip enhancement that Jennifer Hollander of AuraSpa performed on me a few days ago. It’s called Arque Derma ( you may recall I featured this technique developed by master injector and trainer Leslie Fletcher of Torrance’s Injectability Clinic).
I arrived to Jenn’s office wanting to do something about my lip lines above my lips (“smoker’s lines”) and also for some general plumping. She took a look at me and said “we are doing Arque Derma on you”. The thing about this approach to plumping is it is not about stuffing filler in your lips and making you look like you have filler in your lips. It takes into account the entire chin to lip to nose area. So, Jenn wasn’t just filling in my lips, but rather using Restylane Refyne to restore an overall more youthful area, in total.
Pronounced ‘ARC DERMA,’ ArqueDerma® in Latin literally means ‘to inject the skin’. The name ArqueDerma® imparts a seamless mix of the artistic, ‘Arque’ (classical architecture – arches, buttresses, corbels), and medical science, ‘Derma’.
I have never seen my lips look so natural and fresh. I am NOT into the filler looking aesthetic, obviously. And if you are like me, then you strive for looking incredibly natural. This is the exact way to approach your lips if you are new to lip filler, or have been getting cheesy over-plumped lips. I actually really DO want them to be full and juicy and told Jenn I want a bit more. She said we do it in stages, never over-fill and we HAVE to look at my face and do what will look RIGHT. The profile needs to be seamless, no protruding upper lip. And that’s what this approach achieves. I could not be more thrilled!!!
As you know, I am full on in love with Jenn’s work and everything going on at AuraSpa. It is just getting better and better and is reveals all its new treatments.
Please see Jenn and tell her we sent ya!
(424) 303-5800 RoxSan Medical Building 465 N Roxbury Dr., Suite 755, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
For $25 off a single Prolon box, use: GROOMEDLA at checkout.
For Prolon subscriptions, get 10% off/month ($22.50), with GROOMEDLASUB
Super EASY – click this Prolon link which is my personal page – As you know I am obsessed with with Prolon and hunted them down (re: stalked) until I was able to get a code for my listeners, readers and followers. This shows them I am not kidding when I say I want to and WILL share the fasting love. WOOT!
I had a few friends joining me on 2nd round (for first timers, it’s recommended to do 3 months in a row) and now I am getting us all mentally prepared for round 3. You totally need to join us on May for Mother’s Day! Yup. What better a gift than the gift of longevity?!
My first tip (and I’ll give a bunch as we get closer to May) is fast with a friend. We all know how the buddy system works. We text, we talk, we get into our feelings about not shoving food in our pie holes JUST BECAUSE. We talk to our hunger! And each other.
Here’s a sneak peak of the sched:
Next, my biggest tip: shift your perception from glass half empty attitude to half full. It’s not about five days going ‘without’ but rather what you will gain. You will be so surprised to discover ALL THERE IS when food is not there (for the most part, or, food on your usual terms). A feeling of spaciousness, quiet, clarity, serenity. You’ll gain control over your hunger (yes, you’ll feel ‘hunger’ and then it passes and you’ll think wow, that’s it?? I am totally fine!) and your fear of hunger once you see what’s on the other side.
But this is just one of psychological and emotional boosts – the Prolon #fastingmimickingdiet is for longevity and health, first and foremost. However I do believe our psychological attachment to food is the hardest thing to get over and why some people will lose out on the health benefits – for some it seems too scary to get going. Not to mention the fear of failure.
Cool thing is there is a huge community on their Facebook page too – with Q and A’s with the doctors and lots of support.
Head to my podcast with Dr. James Kelly to learn about the science of fasting. I can’t believe we are not all fasting more. (yet!)
So many levels of self-awareness revealed themselves to me, in my first round. But that was just icing on the cake (no pun). The 5 day fasting with food is the only way to get the full effects of fasting only WITH food.
Think: Enhanced Performance: Feel greater focus, clarity and energy, through the benefits of a leaner body. Fat Focused Weight Loss: Fastest way to lose fat (especially belly fat) while protecting lean body mass.Enhance Cellular Function: Trigger stem cell-based regeneration and autophagy, (the clean up of aging & damaged cells) & promote stem cell-based renewal. Metabolic Health: Maintain healthy levels of blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as markers of inflammation for overall wellness.
I completely mastered my hunger (and total FEAR of it) to the point where I’m now on a 36 hour fast and it’s like NO BIG DEAL (Thank you @metabolicmike for your FB group!!).
I feel INCREDIBLE – as in two months later – LASTING effects, weight loss, hunger and mind control – insane energy. It’s so damn good.
My third month is in May – WHO IS JOINING ME??
For $25 off a single Prolon box, use: GROOMEDLA at checkout.
For Prolon subscriptions, get 10% off/month ($22.50), with GROOMEDLASUB
Facile Dermatology and Boutiquehas always been special to me. This elegant and fun gem, in the heart of WeHo, helmed by the fantastic Dr. Nancy Samolitis is more than just a run of the mill boutique med spa. They are on a mission:
“Welcome to the world of Facile–where achieving good skin is easy. We’re what you get when you cross a dermatology office, a spa, and a beauty boutique. We’re obsessed with skin. We personalize every service to meet your needs on any given day (because skin is moody, y’know?). Your best skin is our priority.”
So you see what I mean.
There’s been a ton of buzz about PDO absorbable threads or “thread lift” from clients and readers wanting to know more about this minimally invasive, zero downtime or bruising (let’s call it easy peasy) treatment and its promise to add instant lift to the skin – hence, instant rejuvenation. But that’s not all. The threads act like a scaffolding of support for the tissues and delicately reposition the skin to while building collagen over time. Sounds like a win win for a lunchtime procedure.
The lovely, wise and truly authentic Dr. Sam numbed my face and fully went over the procedure before hand. Some numbing. A tiny entry point near the temples. Some pressure as the thread goes in, lidocaine as needed, and then once the longer barbed threads are inserted and ends snipped, smaller threads around the lower third of the face. A tag team of collagen boosting scaffolding.
The whole event was less than an hour. Painless. Not uncomfortable. After I was hilariously numb (think getting one’s teeth pulled) and late on (now) I’m quite sore in my jaw, which is perfect since I can’t eat as I’m on a Prolon fasting mimicking diet this week. (More on that soon!). I used some ice packs on my cheeks throughout the day but there is zero bruising and a little swelling that is probably not even noticeable.
In terms of seeing an instant lift – I do look ‘fresh’ faced. I need to take “after” photos in a week or to really gage. I am mostly interested in the building of collagen over time – when most people are losing it at this age. I will also follow up in one month to see if we need to add some more.
I am writing this the following morning. Cheeks quite sore, but face looks really great – a little swelling will certainly plump things up and my skin feels taught in a great way. Cannot wait to see what happens over time. So far, I am sold on threads! I am still thinking about how totally cool Dr. Sam is. What a treat to meet such a down to earth and real doctor who isn’t out to sell you a ton of stuff you don’t need.
Please call Facile for pricing and details.
West Hollywood
638 1/2 North Robertson Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone 310.929.2220
