The laser bra breast lift is an exciting new alternative to traditional breast lifts. It provides a longer-lasting solution for patients with sagging breasts. A laser breast lift uses the same laser technology that doctors have used for years in facial plastic surgery. During a traditional breast lift surgery, the skin removed during the procedure is discarded. By contrast, the new laser bra breast lift makes use of that excess skin to add support to the underside of the breast. Most women of all breast sizes are candidates for this breast lift technique.

Procedure:

During breast lift surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia, your surgeon will remove the skin and use a CO 2 laser to de-epithelialize it in a process similar to facial laser skin tightening. The laser strengthens and tightens the skin in the same method that facial cosmetic lasers remove wrinkles. The surgeon will then position the tissue beneath the breast and attach it to the chest wall in order to provide a long-lasting structural support beneath the breast. Because the laser bra procedure utilises the patient’s own tissue, the laser bra recovery time is similar in length to traditional breast lift surgery recovery.

I came across this new procedure while doing research for my upcoming ABG magazine for July and it sounds like the next big thing! Wonder if any doctor in Singapore is doing this yet…

Isn’t this a thing of beauty? This emerald bottle, or more accurately, the contents within, has been the secret to my glowing skin lately. Ever since I started using DrGL’s collagen essence diligently twice a day, I have been receiving compliments about my “good skin”.

The name, Collagen Essence, is a misnomer actually, as this product contains Hyaluronic Acid, which occurs naturally in the deeper layers of our skin. Hyaluronic Acid is used in this formula for its perfect affinity with skin and for its amazing ability to hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water.

Here’s Dr Georgia Lee, creator of this “miracle water”, telling us more about it:

1. Why did you create the Collagen Essence?

Dr GL: I love the hydrating effect of Hyaluronic Acid when it is used as a filler for my patients and so decided to create a pure Hyaluronic Acid essence which is micronised so that absorption is assured and the product is locked in where it works best.

2. What are the ingredients in the essence?

Dr GL:  Hyaluronic acid

3. Who is it suitable for?

Dr GL: It is suitable for all skin types from oily and acne-prone skin to mature skin although in harsher dry weathers, a second layer of richer moisturiser may be needed.

4. What are some of the results after using the essence?

Dr GL:  The skin is immediately plumped up after a few days of continual usage. It glows  and is  firm from the hydrated skin cells. (absolutely true!)

5.. How much is it retailing for?

DrGL:  S$198 at Escentials, 3rd floor, Paragon

Ever since I hit my 30s, I’ve been kinda obsessed with my skin. Which is why I started Reviewantiaging.com so that I can review all the anti-aging treatments out there for other skin-obsessed people.

When it comes to determining your complexion’s age, your ID  tells only part of the story. Lifestyle habits — diet, sleep schedule and sun exposure — complicate the results. And if that’s not confusing enough, choosing the best way to turn back the clock on your skin’s appearance can be so baffling, that you’ll probably end up confused not glowing.

Many factors can affect your skin health. Factors such as:

1. Lifestyle habits – if you smoke and think sunscreen is only for triathletes, you’re in skin trouble!  

2.  Whether you do outdoor sports  or exercise in general – the heart-thumping, sweaty sort; walking around the office does not count as exercise

3. Diet – eating lots of leafy greens, citrus fruit, red tomatoes and salmon will put you in good stead

4. Family genes – if your mum constantly gets mistaken as your sister, you’re in good hands

5. Mental health – if stress is your best friend, you’ll probably look like your grandma in no time

6. Skincare – finding the right skincare is like finding your soulmate

Here’s how to look even younger and keep that glow going strong!

20s
Your skin is plump and regenerates regularly, bringing healthy cells to the surface,. Whether you’ve always avoided the sun (smart move) or past sun sins haven’t reared their wrinkly head yet, make “I heart SPF” your mantra. Gentle anti-agers like a good moisturiser at night, will keep skin so healthy that you will continue to be asked for your ID at clubs.

30s
OK, you don’t get carded anymore, but no one’s calling you “aunty” either. Smile lines are shallow, freckles may be getting darker or your skin simply isn’t as smooth or dewy as it once was. Coax your complexion into looking and behaving more like it did a decade ago with potent over-the-counter products. There’s still time to prevent deeper wrinkles and sun spots.  

40s
Here,  Mom and Dad genes play a crucial role in how skin ages.  Here’s the bad first: your skin has definitely aged. The good news: Woes such as dullness, fine lines and brown splotches are reversible. Tried-and-true topicals and glow-restoring peels can minimise wrinkles and discoloration in several weeks. If you smoke, extinguish your habit for faster results.

50s
Skin never forgets, and it’s reminding you of every freakin’ ray of sun that found your SPF-less cheeks over the years, but here’s the silver lining: Breakthrough treatments such as lasers refresh rough skin, erase sun spots and iron out wrinkles in a flash, shaving off years and making those sun-drenched memories even more distant.

Now you can!

Check out this entertaining software that lets you try out breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and other procedures for free before you take that major decision.

Or just give yourself a virtual plastic surgery makeover just for a laugh!

Plastic fantastic! Download free makeover software here:

http://www.plasticsurgeryguide.com/download.html

Yoga has become my new boyfriend. I’m constantly thinking and talking about it, I buy nice outfits to wear for it and downward dog is my favourite position. If I had a choice, I’d do yoga everyday as it has so many facets that I’d never tire of it – there’s yin yoga if I want a relaxing stretch, pranamed for some solace and vinyasa if I want to get my heart racing. My favourite is hatha and I always get butterflies in my tummy when I go on my Saturday date with hatha 3.

Very few people retain their strength and vitality till the middle age. More people are looking much older than they actually are, thanks to the highly-stressed, sedentary and polluted lifestyles we lead.  However, you would be happy to know that our body has the unique ability to renew or regenerate at the cellular level. One way to do that is to practise yoga. Here’s how yoga can help you reclaim your vitality:

Yoga Keeps the Spine Young: According to Indian philosophy and Indian sages, age is measured not by the number of candles on your birthday cake, but by the flexibility of your spine.  Yoga works to improve the elasticity of the spine through its thousands of postures or asanas. These myriad postures, done in conjunction with deep and rhythmic breathing, work the spine and muscles of the body through a dual action of push and pull.

Yoga Makes Skin More Youthful: A German study of a group of women showed that yoga can reduce stress, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and smoothing over the lines in the forehead. Yoga may work its magic by reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is linked to a host of aging conditions and illnesses from wrinkles to heart disease to Alzheimer’s. Apparently, by practicing inverted yoga postures, you can turn back gray hair to its natural color (upside down class here I come!).

Yoga Eases Aches and Pains: As we get older, our joints and muscles lose their elasticity. Yoga helps to restore the dryness and tightness that is associated with debilitating conditions like arthritis and back pain by its ability to stretch and improve the circulation and mobility of these restricted regions.  Any cardiovascular exercise promotes optimal levels of oxygen, but this dual action that yoga demands forces oxygen into tight areas of the body thereby improving oxygenation throughout the entire body.

Yoga Keeps You Happy: Chronic pain, constant stress or loneliness is strongly correlated with depression and decreased energy. As people with a chronic ailment adopt a consistent yoga practice, not only do their physical symptoms start to improve, but their mood does as well. The better we feel, the better we look as our outer appearance starts to reflect the vitality we feel inside.

Yoga Keeps Your Mind Agile: Research is revealing that keeping your mind active is just as important to reducing the effects of aging as eating a healthy diet.  Since many of the asanas in yoga require concentration as we not only focus on the movements themselves, but also how the breath corresponds to each movement, our minds are continually being challenged (try doing a standing mermaid and you’ll know what I’m talking about!). These subtle but powerful brain exercises are like feeding our minds heaping bowls of Superfoods, keeping them young, alert, healthy and alive.

Ommmmm…

You can't miss DrSpa, located below TLC, Dr Lee's clinic

A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a medical doctor. Medical spa menus vary, but you can usually get medical spa treatments like laser treatments, laser hair removal, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, microdermabrasion, photofacials, injectables like Botox and fillers, chemical peels and skin tightening. Most medical spas also tend to have a more clinical atmosphere than day spas even though they offer relaxing services like massages and body treatments. Medical spas are ideal for people who would like a more holistic experience. Unlike aesthetic clinics where you zip in and out after your treatment, customers at medical spas can choose to top up their laser treatments with a massage and enjoy the relaxing amenities of the spa. This new hybrid blends the best of both worlds – a relaxing spa experience with the procedures and expertise found at a doctor’s office.

Love the Lego-like effect of the logo

It was only a matter of time before this celebrity doctor opened a spa to cater to her burgeoning patients, some of whom don’t have the patience to wait three months to see her (yes, she has a waitlist!). Now, they can enjoy her treatments in the comfort of her new spa – DrSpa.

Facial room at DrSpa

“I envisioned what I wanted in a spa and created treatments and services based on that, ” said Dr Lee. “For example, I don’t have the patience to lie down for more than one hour, and when I do a facial, I would also like extra treatments like a massage to lift my face. That’s why I have incorporated my facials with machine work whether it is to slim down or firm up. It is really a place for the time-pressed modern woman,” she explains.

Dr Georgia Lee showing the hair treatment room

One of the highlights at the stylish-looking spa is the hair treatment, where she has bought a special chair from Japan which allows the client to lie comfortably the entire time. The treatment uses patented technologies which Dr Lee has spent time researching, combined with growth factors to strengthen hair roots. A stickler for top-notch service, she has even concocted special teas that help slim the body, glossify hair and add a glow to your complexion. These teas will be customised and served complimentary to all clients before their treatment.

Treatment teas at DrSpa

Treatments at DrSpa don’t come cheap - with facials starting at $250 and a full body 90-minute massage going for $500. However, with extras thrown in like complimentary valet service, organic essential oils and even desserts made from bird’s nest, in the works. This is an indulgent experience that every woman should treat themselves to!

Goodie bag (or box)!

One of the ways I keep my heart (and my face, hopefully) young is to go on frequent getaways. And, if respite is what I’m after, the Bvlgari Resort Bali resort is the perfect antidote…and more!

Perched high on a cliff overlooking the Indian ocean, this resort is stunning with its sleek and modern interiors made of volcanic rocks and timber. Consisting of only 59 exclusive villas (from US$800 per night) – including the ultimate Bvlgari villa (US$6700 per night) which apparently has a pool bigger that the resort’s own pool, each villa is assigned a personal butler to cater to guests’ whims 24 hours a day. These freestanding villas with terraces and private plunge pools are sumptuous inside and out, with ocean views, open-air living areas and Bang and Olufsen audio and visual systems. Service is impeccable and unobtrusive. We were acknowledged by our names the whole time and no request is denied – including a desperate call back to the resort when I could not find a restaurant in Seminyak. Another case in point: when I called for breakfast for myself because my partner, Kevin, was not hungry, my butler asked me after I placed my order, “Mr Kevin is not eating?”. How’s that for personal service? Not to mention the plates of desserts that magically appear every night…

Today, I’m going to talk about my pet topic – my puppy

More than just furry companions, your pet, whether it is a dog or a cat, can keep you youthful and healthy. I know for sure that I’m at my happiest when I’m with Mochi, just seeing her adorable face and funny antics makes me forget my work, and I’ve been guilty of choosing her company over friends on several occasions (sorry people!).

People and animals have a long history of living together and bonding. Perhaps the oldest evidence of this special relationship was discovered a few years ago in Israel—a 12,000-year-old human skeleton buried with its hand resting on the skeleton of a 6-month-old wolf pup. “The bond between animals and humans is part of our evolution, and it’s very powerful,” says Dr Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

On top of making you feel happy (which in turn keeps wrinkles at bay),  studies suggest that four-legged friends can help to improve our cardiovascular health. One NIH-funded study looked at 421 adults who’d suffered heart attacks. A year later, the scientists found, dog owners were significantly more likely to still be alive than were those who did not own dogs, regardless of the severity of the heart attack.

Another study looked at 240 married couples. Those who owned a pet were found to have lower heart rates and blood pressure, whether at rest or when undergoing stressful tests, than those without pets. Pet owners also seemed to have milder responses and quicker recovery from stress when they were with their pets than with a spouse or friend.

Several studies have shown that dog owners also get more exercise and other health benefits than the rest of us. One NIH-funded investigation looked at more than 2,000 adults and found that dog owners who regularly walked their dogs were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a dog. Mochi and I go for weekly runs at Botanic Gardens and I walk her several times a day (climbing up and down the stairs of my apartment).

Before you rush out to get a dog or cat, please bear in mind that pets, although cute and good for the health, is a huge commitment (at least 15 years of your life) and can be costly to maintain (if you are a doting mum like me).  If you can’t imagine that, best that you stick to fishes or hamsters.

Spent a luxurious Sunday pampering myself with Reviva Labs facial products. Here’s what I tried:

1. Collagen Fibre Eye-Pad Kit (US$38)

Instructions:

First I applied the Skin Energizing  Gel (which comes with the product) under my eyes then pasted the collagen eye pads on top of it. Using water, I dabbed at the eye pads till they were transparent and adhered to my eye area. The eye pads molded easily and felt comfortable. After 15 to 20 minutes, I peeled them off.

Results:

My fine lines look minimised and my undereye area looked tighter. Weekly usage will enhance the Botox-like effects and result in smoother, firmer undereye area, reduce wrinkles, puffiness as well as dark circles.

2. Light Skin Peel (US$20)

Instructions:

I applied this thick paste, which smelt like fruity clay, all over my face. There was a slight tingling sensation and I left it on for 5 minutes or until it dried completely, then gently rubbed it off. 

Results:

My favourite so far! My complexion was radiant and had a slight pinkish flush after the treatment. It would be great if the acid peel came with a brush or spatula to make application more hygenic.

3. Collagen Fibre Skin Brightener Pads (US$13)

Instructions:

An interesting product and treatment where you cut the collagen pads according to the area you want to treat, dab water to make it adhere and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. According to Reviva Labs, this product contains Alpha-Arbutin, and a study on Chinese women has shown that this ingredient has the most skin lightening effect after one month, compared to other products tested.

Results:

The area where I pasted the pads looked slightly clearer, however my pigmentation still looks the same. For progressive lightening, I have to use this two to three times a week.

For more information, check out: www.revivalabs.com

Chronic fatigue, stress and allergies, these are all the by-products of a hectic city life.  In recent years, medical experts have begun to understand the seemingly intangible relationship between physical, mental and emotional health. “Good health is more than a disease-free body. Good health is a stress-free frame of mind and vibrant energy,” says Dr Richard Anderson, creator of the Arise & Shine fasting programme and supplements at Atsumi Healing Center – a fasting and detoxing retreat in Phuket.

Dr Anderson’s program aims to elevate practitioners towards greater health, vitality and energy. It is much more than a colon cleanse. It is a complete intestinal cleanse and you will clean your entire alimentary canal from your tongue to your stomach and all the way down to your colon. In addition, however, as you begin to cleanse your digestive system (the hub of your body that every cell and organ depends upon) other parts of your body will respond as well. With this programme, you will not only rid yourself of toxic waste, you will also release disease-causing toxic emotions. In a very real sense, it’s as if the emotions are stored with the toxic waste and as one is purged so is the other. A total sense of well-being can be created from having a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Fasting is nature’s way of curing disease and one of the quickest ways of encouraging the body to rid itself of toxins,restore health and prolong life and vitality. Fasting allows the body to stop processing all the junk that’s put in it, to stop using energy to run the digestive and eliminatory systems, allowing an excess of natural energy that can then be devoted to cleansing, purifying and repairing all of the bodily systems. Through detoxification, the body’s amazing power to heal itself will be revealed, leaving you in tune with your own physical state, and reaching ever towards the pure perfection of health that we were all born with, and to which Mother Nature constantly guides us. Yoga, exercise and massage speed up this process by stimulating the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid.

My sister and I are heading there in February next year to escape the Chinese New Year chaos and noise. Four days of no coffee…oh no.

For more information onAtsumi Healing Retreat, check out its video here:

Atsumi Healing Center – Phuket, Thailand